What began as a joyous occasion at the Paradiso Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church in Luanda township, Vihiga County, on December 1, 2024 turned into a devastating tragedy that shook the congregation to its core.
A fundraiser intended to unite the faithful of 10 churches under the PAG’s Ebutsatsi District ended in heartbreak when a poisonous meal claimed two lives and left more than 50 others critically ill.
The event, held amidst a backdrop of lingering leadership disputes that has been brewing in PAG since 2015, drew worshippers from the locality.
But as the congregation celebrated, they unknowingly consumed a toxic mix of rice and beans – an act that some have called into question as more than just a tragic accident.
Hours after eating at the fundraiser, tragedy struck when those who ate began suffering from severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dizziness.
Reginald Atsango, whose daughter Nancy Ahono died of food poisoning incident at Paradiso Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church in Luanda, Vihiga County, during an interview with the Nation at his home in Emahondo village, Vihiga County, on December 04, 2024.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
According to Pastor Kennedy Kimiya, chairman of the 10-church consortium, a retired cleric reportedly prepared the food and locked it away overnight before serving it more than 12 hours later.
“It is suspicious. The meal preparation itself has raised eyebrows,” Pastor Kimiya told Nation, as he called for urgent investigations to uncover what happened.
Ebutsatsi District Overseer Patrick Watate also appealed for a speedy investigation for the victims and affected families to get justice.
While Emuhaya Sub-County Medical Superintendent Dr Martin Milimu confirmed that tests revealed the food was contaminated, he did not say whether it is suspected any substance was deliberately added, which would point foul play.
“We may not know whether the contamination occurred at the source or during preparation,” he said in reference to the results of the food samples sent to the Government Chemist for analysis.
However, for newly elected PAG General Superintendent Reverend Kenneth Adiara, the idea of intentional poisoning is too dark to contemplate.
He urged for patience, insisting the incident stemmed from mishandling rather than malice.
“Based on our preliminary assessment, this was a tragic accident and not sabotage,” Rev Adiara said.
The former PAG Kawangware District Overseer appealed for calm as security agencies conduct their probe, acknowledging the delicate balance he must strike in leading a church beset by internal divisions.
For 66-year-old Mary Mideva, who succumbed after eating the contaminated food, the impact of the incident has been profound for her family, who have yet to come to terms with her death.
Her husband, Elisha Amoche, narrowly escaped the same fate only because he insisted on eating his usual food before heading to his night-shift job as a guard in a nearby institution.
When he returned home at 6am in the morning, he found his wife and four grandchildren gravely ill after eating the meal and taking home some leftovers for the young ones.
Elisha Amoche Amaya, displays a picture of his wife Mary Mideva who succumbed after the food poisoning incident at Paradiso Pentecostal Assemblies of God church in Luanda, Vihiga County.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Nearby his Luanda home, Caroline Imisa also suffered heart-breaking loss when her nine-year-old niece, Nancy Ahono, succumbed to the toxic meal.
Ms Imisa and three other family members were however lucky to have survived the ordeal after being admitted for two days at Emuhaya Sub-County Hospital.
The deceased’s mother Margaret Amakove, while recalling the unfortunate incident, said she received a call from her sister-in-law over complaints of severe stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhoea.
“We rushed to Emuhaya Sub County Hospital and found them in critical conditions but my daughter did not manage to make it,” she said.
Margaret Amakhove, whose daughter Nancy Ahono succumbed to food poisoning Paradiso Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church in Luanda, Vihiga County, during an interview with the Nation at her home in Emahondo village on December 04, 2024.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
The tragedy came on the heels of a contentious PAG election held on October 1, 2024, at the Nyang’ori Mission headquarters in Vihiga County.
Reverend Adiara’s victory over two prominent contenders, including former PAG leader Dr Patrick Lihanda and Dr Christopher Kilasi, was marred by accusations of foul play.
Hours before the vote, Bishop Lihanda was reportedly abducted, only to be found alive later in Ugunja, Siaya County under mysterious circumstances.
His white Mercedes Benz was later found abandoned at Shibale Trading Centre in Mumias, Kakamega County before he was discovered alive in Ugunja, Siaya County.
While these events have left many questioning on the stability of the church’s leadership, Reverend Adiara has pledged to heal the divisions, urging aggrieved members to resolve disputes through internal tribunals rather than court battles that have plagued the church for over six years.
“Our Constitution does not allow us to go to court. The courts have delayed us over the years,” Rev Adiara said, underlying the need to chart a new path forward.
As investigations continue, the congregation faces an uncertain future. For now, the church leadership has called on members to remain steadfast in prayer, seeking unity amidst the turmoil.
Whether the poisoning was an act of negligence or something more sinister, the tragedy at Paradiso PAG Church has left scars that may take years to heal.
