As of Friday, 21 bodies have been exhumed as part of inquiries into a cult leader in East African Kenya. The dead were found in the Shakahola forest in the east of the country, AFP news agency reported on Saturday based on police circles.
The search has apparently only just begun – so the number of dead could rise considerably, it is said. At least three children were among the dead so far, according to a police source.
Starving to “Meet Jesus”
Last week, the remains of four followers of the International Church of the Good News were found. Their leader, the Reverend Makenzie Nthenge, had called on cultists to starve themselves to “meet Jesus.”
The leader of the sect is on hunger strike
Eleven cult members – seven men and four women aged between 17 and 49 – were hospitalized last week following a rescue operation in Shakahola Forest. The cult leader turned himself in to the police on April 15 and was arrested. According to AFP, he is on hunger strike.
Cult members brainwashed
A police report accessed by AFP said Nthenge had “brainwashed” the cultists into starving themselves. The cult leader turned himself in to police on April 15 and was taken into custody. A police source said the suspect had gone on hunger strike. He ‘prays and fasts’, it said.
According to local media, six followers of Pastor Nthenge have also been arrested. The cult leader was reportedly taken into custody last month after starving two children in the care of their parents. However, he was released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings (about 670 euros).
Source: Krone
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