Police rescue more than 11 emaciated people from cult-like church in Kenya; 4 confirmed dead

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Police in Kilifi in the coastal part of Kenya have rescued more than 11 emaciated people believed to be followers on the property of a controversial church and took them to hospital for treatment.

However, police said four other people died from starvation and it is believed more have been buried in the property of the Good News International Church – which has been the center of investigations after it emerged that their pastor told them to starve as a way of “meeting Jesus”.

Most of the followers were unable to walk and police were forced to carry them to the ambulances while some who were still able to talk narrated how the them man identified as Pastor Paul Makenzie who surrendered to police last week had convinced them to “fast to death”.

Makenzi had been arrested and charged last month in the deaths of two children whose parents were members of his church. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bond while proceedings in the case continued.

Residents had complained to local authorities about the pastor, accusing him of fostering growing cultism in the area.

Cults are common in Kenya which has a largely religious society.

Police received information about a possible mass grave on the pastor’s property, but initial searches did not locate one.

Investigations are ongoing, according to Malindi sub-county police boss John Kemboi.