Authorities believe she has been recruiting followers from different parts of Kenya and sheltering them in rented houses in Kaoeni, a village on the outskirts of Malindi town.
According to investigators, Anindo convinced her followers to abandon their families and daily lives with promises of “spiritual deliverance.”
Many of them later ended up dead, while others remain missing. Police sources revealed that her rented homes were used to house believers as they awaited their grim fate under her control.
The case came to light after police launched an operation following reports from concerned residents. Villagers had noticed strange movements in the rented houses, where people
would arrive at odd hours and rarely be seen outside.
Neighbors also reported hearing unsettling prayers and chants that went late into the night.
During the operation, police uncovered seven shallow graves containing human remains, including skulls and bones. Detectives said the site bore similarities to the infamous Shakahola massacre of 2023, where over 450 victims of cult activity were buried.
Postmortems are being carried out to determine the exact cause of death, though starvation and poisoning are among the key suspicions.
Kilifi’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief confirmed that Anindo is the primary suspect, though several other individuals believed to be her close aides are also under investigation.
Police are working to establish whether she acted independently or was part of a larger cult network in the region.
Human rights activists and community leaders have expressed outrage, saying the tragedy shows how vulnerable people continue to be exploited by self-proclaimed prophets and cult leaders.
They are calling on the government to strengthen monitoring of religious activities and provide more civic education to protect citizens from manipulation.
“This is another wake-up call. We cannot allow cult leaders to misuse religion to destroy lives. Communities must stay alert and report suspicious groups to the authorities,” a senior police officer said.
Investigations are still ongoing, and security officers have promised to provide more details once Anindo records a statement.
Meanwhile, survivors rescued from the cult houses are receiving medical care and counseling as authorities piece together how the tragedy unfolded.
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