https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230512/death-toll-in-kenyan-starvation-cult-hits-150-594-people-reported-missing-1059198522.html
Death Toll In Kenyan Starvation Cult Hits 150, 594 People Reported Missing
Death Toll In Kenyan Starvation Cult Hits 150, 594 People Reported Missing
Sputnik Africa
The investigation into the starvation cult led by preacher Paul Mackenzie has led to the exhumation of five more bodies in Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County. Authorities also revealed that 594 cult members have been missing.
2023-05-12T10:25+0200
2023-05-12T10:25+0200
2023-05-12T12:06+0200
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The ongoing investigation into the starvation cult led by preacher Paul Mackenzie has led to the exhumation of five more bodies in Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.The discovery was announced to the media by Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha in a report issued on Thursday. The Kenyan government official also revealed that 594 suspected cult members have been reported missing by their families and 25 arrests have been made.Despite adverse weather conditions that caused exhumations to be paused, efforts to uncover the truth behind the cult's activities and the circumstances surrounding the deaths continue. Police investigations into the matter, which began in April, have revealed that some of the victims showed signs of organ harvesting, raising suspicions of human organ trafficking.Kenya's Minister of Interior and National Administration, Abraham Kithure Kindiki, described the Shakahola cult deaths as a well-organized crime, given the number of mass graves found.Last week, the country's president, William Ruto, established a commission to investigate the death of members of a religious cult known as the Good News International Church, which was headed by Mackenzie. The commission will investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, identify those individuals and organizations responsible, and recommend specific actions to hold them accountable.Mackenzie, the cult leader, was arrested on 14 April and charged with terrorism for allegedly starving his followers to death. He is in police custody. Ezekiel Odero, a prominent pastor in Kenya, was also arrested in connection with Mackenzie's case. The Nairobi court ordered the authorities to freeze more than 20 bank accounts belonging to Odero for 30 days.Later, Odero was granted bail in the amount of 1.5 million Kenyan shillings ($11,000) and released on Thursday.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230425/what-is-known-about-kenyan-cult-leader-accused-of-advocating-starvation-to-meet-jesus-1058841143.html
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Death Toll In Kenyan Starvation Cult Hits 150, 594 People Reported Missing
10:25 12.05.2023 (Updated: 12:06 12.05.2023) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Although starvation appears to be the main cause of death, ongoing investigations have revealed that some of the victims, including children, were strangled, beaten or suffocated. Police say that some of the bodies showed signs of organ harvesting, raising suspicions of human organ trafficking.
The ongoing investigation into the starvation cult led by preacher Paul Mackenzie has led to the exhumation of five more bodies in Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.
The discovery was announced to the media by Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha in a report issued on Thursday. The Kenyan government official also revealed that 594 suspected cult members have been
reported missing by their families and 25 arrests have been made.
DNA samples have been taken from 93 families as part of the investigation, and searches and exhumations continue in Shakahola Forest.
Despite adverse weather conditions that caused exhumations to be paused, efforts to uncover the truth behind the cult's activities and the circumstances surrounding the deaths continue. Police investigations into the matter, which began in April, have revealed that some of the victims showed
signs of organ harvesting, raising suspicions of human organ trafficking.
Kenya's Minister of Interior and National Administration, Abraham Kithure Kindiki, described the Shakahola cult deaths as a well-organized crime, given the number of mass graves found.
Last week, the country's president, William Ruto, established a commission to investigate the death of members of a religious cult known as the Good News International Church, which was headed by Mackenzie. The commission will
investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, identify those individuals and organizations responsible, and recommend specific actions to hold them accountable.
Mackenzie, the cult leader, was arrested on 14 April and charged with terrorism for allegedly starving his followers to death. He is in police custody. Ezekiel Odero, a prominent pastor in Kenya, was also arrested in connection with Mackenzie's case. The Nairobi court ordered the authorities to freeze more than 20 bank accounts belonging to Odero for 30 days.
Later, Odero was granted bail in the amount of 1.5 million Kenyan shillings ($11,000) and released on Thursday.
