Kenyan President William Ruto has created a panel to investigate the deaths of more than 100 persons who are thought to have belonged to a cult whose leader instructed them to starve themselves to death.
According to Kenyan officials, the deceased were members of the Good News International Church, which is headed by Paul Mackenzie. Mackenzie allegedly prophesied the end of the world on April 15 and gave his followers the command to commit suicide in order to be the first to enter paradise.
In one of the worst cult tragedies in recent memory, the death toll currently stands at 111, but it could go up even higher.
After learning that Mackenzie had been detained earlier this year on suspicion of starving to death and suffocating two children, then released on bail, some Kenyan lawmakers criticised the security services for failing to act in time to stop the mass deaths in the Shakahola forest.
While in police detention, Mackenzie has not made any public statements about the allegations made against him, nor has he been obliged to enter a plea to any charges. His two attorneys have declined to reply to reporters.
In the coastal city of Mombasa on Friday, Mackenzie appeared in court alongside 17 other defendants.
In creating the panel, presidential spokesperson Hussein Mohamed stated that Ruto had also tasked a task force to investigate laws governing religious organizations.
The investigation will look into whether mistakes in administration or intelligence led to the killings, among other things. Judge Jessie Lesiit of the Court of Appeals will preside over it, while commissioners including Bishop Catherine Mutua and psychiatrist Frank Njenga will serve.
