https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230607/kenya-to-convert-mass-death-scene-in-shakahola-forest-to-memorial-site-1059765440.html
Kenya to Convert Mass Death Scene in Shakahola Forest to Memorial Site
Kenya to Convert Mass Death Scene in Shakahola Forest to Memorial Site
Sputnik Africa
The official statement followed the recovery of nine more bodies from 22 sites in the forest that have been marked as potential mass graves, bringing the death... 07.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-07T12:55+0200
2023-06-07T12:55+0200
2023-06-07T16:44+0200
sub-saharan africa
kenya
shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult)
religious cult
east africa
death toll
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Kenya's government is seeking to transform the Shakahola forest into a national memorial site, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced.According to Kindiki, the forest will be turned into a place of "solace and remembrance for those affected", when the rescue operation and the recovery of bodies is concluded.Kindiki also reiterated his promise to secure the conviction of self-proclaimed preacher Paul McKenzie, who is the prime suspect in the Shakahola deaths. Mackenzie is accused of convincing his followers to starve themselves to death so that they might "meet Jesus."The official stressed that this case was unlike others, adding that "this case against McKenzie should be won, the perpetrators should be convicted".The pastor was arrested on 14 April, and is now in police custody facing terrorism charges.In late May, the secretary told Kenya's Parliament that Mackenzie used armed gangs to kill followers who wanted to end their fast.
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kenya, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), religious cult , east africa, death toll
kenya, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), religious cult , east africa, death toll
Kenya to Convert Mass Death Scene in Shakahola Forest to Memorial Site
12:55 07.06.2023 (Updated: 16:44 07.06.2023) The official statement followed the recovery of nine more bodies from 22 sites in the forest that have been marked as potential mass graves, bringing the death toll of the infamous "starvation cult" slaughter to 252.
Kenya's government is seeking to transform the Shakahola forest into a national memorial site, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced.
According to Kindiki, the forest will be turned into a place of "solace and remembrance for those affected", when the rescue operation and the recovery of bodies is concluded.
"This is not a place that can be reverted to farming, ranching and other human activities because the souls of our brothers and sisters - adults and children - that we’ve lost here require much more dignity than that," he said, adding that the memorial site will ensure that "Kenya and the world never forget that there was this kind of outrage on humanity."
Kindiki also reiterated his promise
to secure the conviction of self-proclaimed preacher Paul McKenzie, who is the prime suspect in the Shakahola deaths. Mackenzie is accused of convincing his followers to starve themselves to death so that they might "meet Jesus."
The official stressed that this case was unlike others, adding that "this case against McKenzie should be won, the perpetrators should be convicted".
"Our investigative team has assured us that we have a watertight case against Mackenzie and his collaborators who are in custody. We have evidence that is sufficient to prove charges of genocide and crimes against humanity," Kindiki added.
The pastor was arrested on 14 April, and is now in police custody facing terrorism charges.
In late May, the secretary told Kenya's Parliament that Mackenzie
used armed gangs to kill followers who wanted to end their fast.
