Mystery deepens as more bodies of Kenyan cultic church members discovered
GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: The death toll from the Kenyan Christian cult that advised its members to fast to death has risen to 67 after more bodies were dug up Monday in the ongoing investigations.
Investigating authorities said they discovered mass graves in a forest located on a land owned by controversial pastor Paul Makenzi located in Malindi, in the coastal part of Kenya.
Police have mounted an extensive search in the Shakahola forest where dozens of bodies believed to be those of followers of the cult who believed they could go to heaven through starvation were exhumed over the weekend.
Police started combing the expansive piece of land belonging to the Good News International Church last week after receiving tipoffs from locals and human rights activists about suspicious activities in the area.
Several people, mostly children had been reported missing after subscribing to the cult – with most having their mobile phones switched off cutting them off from their friends and relatives.
“We are impressed by the action taken by police to go to more homes within the area to find out what exactly is happening,” said Hussein Khalid of human rights group Haki Africa.
The church leader, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, reportedly encouraged his followers to fast to death in order to “meet Jesus”.
He is in custody pending a court appearance. It is believed some of his devotees could still be hiding in the bush around Shakahola.
Kenya’s interior minister, Kithure Kindiki, said initial findings suggested that “large-scale crimes” under national and international laws had been committed.
Kenyan Police Boss Japhet Koome who visited the area Monday said the pastor is likely to face terrorism charges for radicalizing his followers.
He added that the death toll may continue to rise as police are continuing with investigations even as heavy rains in the area slow down the progress of rescuing those still alive and exhuming already buried bodies.
- By Fauxile Kibet