Approximately four years ago, a popular city pastor was busted by former investigative journalist Mohammed Ali outrightly lying to his followers that he had the ability to perform various miracles.

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Pastor Kanyari would, for instance, lie to members of his church that he could miraculously change water into blood when in real sense he was using potassium permanganate to achieve the desired results.

Members with various issues would also be taken through weird ritualistic exercises in the name of cleansing or healing.

Kanyari is, however, a small fraction of the many wayward pastors that you will find around Kenya and beyond who ask or even force their followers into undergoing through some weird rituals with a promise of achieving whatever it is that they are seeking for.

Last week, a South African pastor is reported to have asked 10 members of his church to drink 'Jik' washing detergent to cleanse their sins and as a sign of faith. Six are reportedly dead, four in hospital critically ill while the pastor has since gone into hiding.

It, therefore, begs the question, why do some pastors 'force' their followers into performing or undergoing such weird rituals that even defeat common sense and science? Below are a few observations.

1. Many of these pastors know they have absolute control over their 'ignorant' flocks. They are very aware that if they ask their followers to do anything however absurd it might be, the majority will comply without questions.

2. They have mastered the art of playing on people's needs. Robert Greene in his book '48 Laws of Power' notes that people have an overwhelming desire to believe in something and, therefore, one can become a 'focal point' of such desire by offering them (people) a cause or faith to follow.

"Give your new disciples rituals to perform and ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. Your new belief system will bring you untold power," Greene writes.

3. Many claim to be the voice of God. You will hear many claiming how often God speaks to them. For instance, Pastor Wahome of Helicopter of God Ministries has severally claimed on his TV preachings that he goes to an unspecified mountain to 'meet' God and to 'intercede' on behalf of his followers.

Many faithful would not, therefore, dare disobey the 'voice of God'.

4. Faithfuls fear repercussions of disobeying the pastor. For instance, there are those who fear that if they 'disobey' the pastor they will be sidelined by other members or even be accused of having little or no faith.

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