A former member of Melkio Joseph Missions of Messiah in Africa Church in Rongo, Migori  has come out to paint a picture of what is like to be part of the controversial doctrine.

Francis Odongo Asewe, in a televised interview, confirmed that members of the church are prohibited from visiting hospitals when ailing or injured.  They are also buried within the church premises without coffins.

According to him, they are taught that when a member dies and he is buried according to the church’s norms, he/she goes straight to heaven. Those whose bodies are claimed by relatives or taken to hospitals are destined for hell.

Asewe said that sick members are only subjected to prayers with no medical attention. The church holds prayers in the morning, 12 noon, at 3pm and 9 pm.

“Once you are a resident in the church, you are cut off from your relatives,” the former congregant revealed.

“When you are involved in chaos  or you are beaten and die, you are considered a martyr,” he went on.

Aside from that, members are banned from having romantic relationships.

“In the church, you are supposed to be barefooted. You are not allowed to have your a romantic partner in church. If you come with your wife, you are completely separated. If you are found together you are chased away,” he  said.

Asewe said that he was not pleased by the fact that deaths were not reported to family members as well as the weird burial tradition.

“When we were young we were so afraid wondering what kind of life that was,” he  said.

“If you leave the church, there are consequences and penalties,” he further revealed

The consequences include death, thunderstorm and sickness.

Asewe lost his father(Eli Odongo) who sustained injuries when the church was raided by locals two weeks ago. His father died in the church and was among those whose bodies were discovered by police.