https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230501/kenyan-authorities-start-post-mortems-of-starvation-cult-victims--1058968295.html
Kenyan Authorities Start Post-Mortems of Starvation Cult Victims
Kenyan Authorities Start Post-Mortems of Starvation Cult Victims
Sputnik Africa
The Kenyan religious cult, whose members starved themselves to death after being convinced they would meet Jesus, has been in the headline since mid-April. As of now, over 100 bodies of the cult members have been exhumed.
2023-05-01T15:02+0200
2023-05-01T15:02+0200
2023-05-01T15:02+0200
sub-saharan africa
east africa
kenya
religious cult
crime
death toll
victims
investigation
exhumation
autopsy
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Post-mortems on more than 100 bodies linked to the starvation cult exhumed in Shakahola village, Kilifi County, started on Monday, Kenyan media has reported. The autopsy will be led by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor alongside 12 pathologists and four forensic experts. The process is expected to be conducted in the presence of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. The latter recently stated that the alleged followers of the cult may not have died of starvation, saying that other causes of death can't be ruled out. Therefore, he noted, the experts will consider all the possibilities, and in particular check on whether some of the victims' organs are missing. According to the latest data, the death toll in the hunger cult stands at 109. All of them are thought to be members of the Good News International Church, led by Paul Mackenzie. MacKenzie is accused of convincing his followers to starve themselves to death to reach heaven. Since April 21, Kenyan authorities have exhumed 101 bodies, while eight others, who were found alive, died soon after. As of now, 44 people have been rescued alive.According to Kindiki, children account for most of the bodies so far recovered from the mass graves. The local Red Cross raised concerns that the death toll may rise further as over 300 people in the area have been reported missing. However, local media reported that the exhumations have been suspended due to heavy rains.The ongoing autopsy, which is taking place at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital, is a key part of investigations into the case of Mackenzie. It was noted that about 23 arrests have been made so far in connection with the cult activities. Mackenzie was arrested on April 14. He is being investigated alongside pastor Ezekiel Odero, who was detained last week. Odero is accused of serious crimes, including murder, abduction, crimes against humanity, child cruelty and fraud.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230429/children-make-up-majority-of-kenyan-cult-deaths-interior-minister-says-1058937422.html
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east africa, kenya, starvation cult, pastor ezekiel odero, deaths, investigation, cult, autopsy, post-mortems
east africa, kenya, starvation cult, pastor ezekiel odero, deaths, investigation, cult, autopsy, post-mortems
Kenyan Authorities Start Post-Mortems of Starvation Cult Victims
The Kenyan religious cult whose members starved themselves to death after being convinced they would meet Jesus has been in the headline since mid-April. As of now, over 100 bodies of the cult members have been exhumed. Kenyan President William Ruto coined the crime terrorism.
Post-mortems on more than 100 bodies linked to the starvation cult exhumed in Shakahola village, Kilifi County, started on Monday, Kenyan media has reported.
The autopsy will be led by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor alongside 12 pathologists and four forensic experts. The process is expected to be conducted in the presence of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
The latter recently stated that the alleged followers of the cult may not have died of starvation, saying that other causes of death can't be ruled out. Therefore, he noted, the experts will consider all the possibilities, and in particular check on whether some of the victims' organs are missing.
According to the latest data, the death toll in the hunger cult stands at 109. All of them are thought to be members of the Good News International Church, led by
Paul Mackenzie. MacKenzie is accused of convincing his followers to starve themselves to death to reach heaven.
Since April 21, Kenyan authorities have
exhumed 101 bodies, while eight others, who were found alive, died soon after. As of now, 44 people have been rescued alive.
According to Kindiki,
children account for most of the bodies so far recovered from the mass graves. The local Red Cross raised concerns that the death toll may rise further as over 300 people in the area have been reported missing. However, local media reported that the exhumations have been suspended due to heavy rains.
The ongoing autopsy, which is taking place at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital, is a key part of investigations into the case of Mackenzie. It was noted that about 23 arrests have been made so far in connection with the cult activities.
Mackenzie was arrested on April 14. He is being investigated alongside pastor
Ezekiel Odero, who was detained last week. Odero is accused of serious crimes, including murder, abduction, crimes against humanity, child cruelty and fraud.
