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Kenya's Shakahola Forest Incident: Names of 131 Child Victims Identified, Local Media Reports

© AP Photo / Gideon MaunduKenya's Cult preacher Pastor Paul Nthenge Paul Mackenzie, center in a white shirt, of the Good News International church, arrives at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa, Kenya, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023
Kenya's Cult preacher Pastor Paul Nthenge Paul Mackenzie, center in a white shirt, of the Good News International church, arrives at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa, Kenya, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 21.11.2023
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In May, Kenyan President Ruto appointed a government commission of inquiry to investigate the deaths of people linked to a religious cult in the country's Shakahola Forest. At least 429 followers of the Good News International Church, founded by self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie, allegedly starved to death.
The Kenyan commission of inquiry investigating the deaths of over 400 followers of Good News International Church in Shakahola forest, revealed the named of about 131 children, who perished in the forest, media reported, citing the country's Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina.

"All 131 children are associated with the 30 respondents in this case and the other 66 survivors. We have the names now for framing charges against the accused. However, we need to establish which name corresponds to which body," Yamina was quoted as saying.

According to the assistant director, the necessary information and crucial details about the children were gathered piece by piece as their credentials were compromised, the outlet noted.
Yamina also stressed that it will take some time to match the names with the bodies, which are being kept at the mortuary in the Kenyan town of Malindi.
In addition, he highlighted that the 66 survived followers did not deny the evidence in court, when the names of the deceased children were presented to them earlier this month, the report said.

"Instead, the survivors challenged the State to provide evidence that the children were not in heaven," he was cited as saying.

Kenya's Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, second right, tours the scene where dozens of bodies have been found in shallow graves in the village of Shakahola, near the coastal city of Malindi, in southern Kenya Monday, April 24, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 19.08.2023
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Moreover, the authorities stated that the found evidence indicated that none of the suspects should be released on bail, whereas a social investigation report indicated that six followers could be released on bail, the media said.
In April, the self-proclaimed pastor, Mackenzie, founder of a religious cult, whose followers allegedly practice starvation to "meet Jesus Christ," was arrested. The tragedy has been dubbed the "Shakahola Massacre" by Kenyan media. Many cult members are believed to have starved to death, although other victims, including children, were reportedly beaten or strangled, and some victims' organs were reportedly harvested.
To shed light on the deaths of hundreds of Mackenzie's followers and to identify the individuals and organizations most responsible for the massacre, President William Ruto formed a government investigation commission in May.
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