Forty seven bodies dug up in cult investigation of pastor in Kenya

Pastor Mackenzie

Forty seven bodies dug up in cult investigation of pastor in Kenya

Synopsis

Earlier this month, police rescued 15 members of the group — worshippers at the Good News International Church — who they said had been told to starve themselves to death. Four of them died before they reached hospital, police said. The leader of the church, Paul Mackenzie, was arrested following a tip-off that suggested the existence of shallow graves belonging to at least 31 of Mackenzie’s followers.

Kenyan police have now exhumed the bodies of 47 people thought to be followers of a Christian cult who believed they would go to heaven if they starved themselves to death. Police near the coastal town of Malindi started exhuming bodies on Friday from the Shakahola forest.

“In total, 47 people have died at the Shakahola forest,” detective Charles Kamau told Reuters on Sunday. The exhumations were still ongoing, Kamau said.
Earlier this month, police rescued 15 members of the group — worshippers at the Good News International Church — who they said had been told to starve themselves to death. Four of them died before they reached hospital, police said.

11 More Bodies Believed to Be of Pastor Mackenzie’s Followers Exhumed

Shakahola, Kilifi County- Police continue to exhume more bodies from the farm owned by controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie.

On Monday, April 24, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome announced the exhumation of 11 more bodies, bringing the total to 50 since the exercise began last week.

Addressing the presser at Shakahola village, Koome added that 29 people believed to be Mackenzie’s followers had been rescued and taken to hospital.

The IG said the overall death toll from activities around Mackenzie’s cult stood at 58, as eight rescued had died under treatment.

“This is out of bodies exhumed and those who died on the way to the hospital,” Koome said.”

The Director of Criminal Investigations, boss Mohammed Amin also arrived at the village to witness the exhumation exercise.