https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230615/kenya-cult-survivors-face-charges-for-attempted-suicide-1059941868.html
Kenya Cult Survivors Face Charges for Attempted Suicide
Kenya Cult Survivors Face Charges for Attempted Suicide
Sputnik Africa
Earlier this week, Kenyan authorities stated that the death toll connected to the infamous cult that practiced starvation to "meet Jesus" exceeded 300. The... 15.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-15T16:10+0200
2023-06-15T16:10+0200
2023-06-15T16:10+0200
sub-saharan africa
east africa
kenya
shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult)
starvation
religious cult
investigation
victims
court
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Sixty-five survivors of a Kenyan starvation cult, who were rescued from the Shakahola Forest, are facing charges of attempted suicide after refusing to eat meals provided at the rescue center where they had been transferred. Thus, earlier this week, state prosecutors applied to the court to have the survivors remanded in prison as the center could no longer hold them. A ruling on the application will be issued later in the week.It was noted that those facing suicide charges are expected to undergo mental and medical assessments. Several members who are in police custody have been reportedly on a hunger strike since June 4. Local media reported that the prosecutors are seeking to have them subjected to forced feeding. The 65 survivors are believed to be followers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the alleged cult leader who is said toconvince his congregants to fast to death in order to reach heaven. Mackenzie, who was a cab driver before becoming a preacher, is the founder of the Good News International Church.The pastor was arrested on April 14 after authorities visited the Shakahola forest, located near the town of Malindi on the Indian Ocean, and started investigation into the deaths of his followers. The same month, the police began to exhume bodies from shallow graves in the remote forest. After the remains of 19 more people were discovered last week, the death toll connected to the "Shakahola Massacre" rose to 303. Hundreds more are reported to be missing. Last week, Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that the government is planning to transform the Shakahola forest into a national memorial site. The forest is expected to be turned into a place of "solace and remembrance for those affected" as soon as the rescue operation and the recovery of bodies is over.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230614/death-toll-in-kenyan-starvation-cult-exceeds-300-as-19-new-bodies-are-discovered-1059901879.html
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east africa, kenya, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), starvation, religious cult , investigation, victims, court
east africa, kenya, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), starvation, religious cult , investigation, victims, court
Kenya Cult Survivors Face Charges for Attempted Suicide
Earlier this week, Kenyan authorities stated that the death toll connected to the infamous cult that practiced starvation to "meet Jesus" exceeded 300. The tragedy that shocked Kenyans, as well as the whole world, has been dubbed as the "Shakahola Massacre" by local media.
Sixty-five survivors of a Kenyan starvation cult, who were rescued from the Shakahola Forest, are facing charges of attempted suicide after refusing to eat meals provided at the rescue center where they had been transferred.
In Kenya, an attempted suicide as laid out by Section 226 of the Penal Code is a misdemeanor punishable by two years' imprisonment or a fine.
Thus, earlier this week, state prosecutors applied to the court to have the survivors remanded in prison as the center could no longer hold them. A ruling on the application will be issued later in the week.
It was noted that those facing suicide charges are expected to undergo mental and medical assessments.
Several members who are in police custody have been reportedly on a hunger strike since June 4. Local media reported that the prosecutors are seeking to have them subjected to forced feeding.
The 65 survivors are believed to be followers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the alleged
cult leader who is said toconvince his congregants to fast to death in order to reach heaven. Mackenzie, who was a cab driver before becoming a preacher, is the founder of the Good News International Church.
The pastor was arrested on April 14 after authorities visited the Shakahola forest, located near the town of Malindi on the Indian Ocean, and started investigation into the deaths of his followers. The same month, the police began to exhume bodies from shallow graves in the remote forest.
After the remains of 19 more people were discovered last week, the death toll connected to the "Shakahola Massacre"
rose to 303. Hundreds more are reported to be missing.
Last week, Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that the government is planning to transform the Shakahola forest into a national
memorial site. The forest is expected to be turned into a place of "solace and remembrance for those affected" as soon as the rescue operation and the recovery of bodies is over.
