The number of people who have died as a result of a Kenyan pastor’s instruction to starve themselves to meet Jesus has now surpassed 300. Authorities stated that the death toll is expected to rise further as more exhumations are planned.
The toll rose to 303 after an additional 19 bodies were discovered in mass graves within the expansive forested area of Kilifi County, situated along the Kenyan coast. It was in this region that Pastor Paul Mackenzie and his followers resided.
Rhoda Onyancha, the coastal regional commissioner, revealed that 613 people associated with the area are currently reported as missing.
On Monday, a group of 65 individuals out of the 95 worshippers, who were said to have been rescued from the property by authorities, faced charges of attempted suicide. They had initiated a hunger strike in protest against being held at a shelter and have now been relocated to a prison.
Police were alerted to MacKenzie’s property in April following a tip-off, which indicated that numerous individuals were starving to death after being told by their pastor that it was a means to meet Jesus. The emaciated followers received medical treatment at a hospital in Malindi before being transferred to the shelter. Kenyan President William Ruto has likened Mackenzie to a terrorist.
Mackenzie is expected to appear in court later this week, as the police were granted an extension to detain him for further investigations.
Prior to his arrest in April, the pastor had already faced charges related to the disappearance of children but was released on bail. Kenyan President William Ruto has drawn comparisons between Mackenzie and a terrorist.
Kindiki Kithure, the Interior Minister, stated that additional mass graves have been earmarked for exhumation. He suggested that the pastor could potentially face charges related to terrorism or genocide.