In one of the worst cult-related tragedies in recent history, the death toll from a Kenyan starving cult surpassed 300 on Tuesday after officials excavated more bodies in a jungle.
Authorities have accused the Good News International Church, headed by Paul Mackenzie, for urging its members to starve themselves and their children to death so they may enter paradise before the end of the world. According to authorities, the deceased were members of this church.
Following the exhumation of 19 bodies from mass graves in the southeast of the country’s Shakahola forest, a total of 303 persons have now died. According to provincial administrator Rhoda Onyancha, over 600 persons are still officially missing.
In an effort to find more victims, investigators this week widened their search area to include a larger portion of the area.
According to local media, approximately 65 rescued adherents of the self-styled preacher were charged with attempted suicide on Monday after they reportedly went without food from June 6 to June 10 while residing at a rescue centre.
Last month, Kithure Kindiki, the interior minister, raised alarm over some of Mackenzie’s rescued followers who were refusing meals. He told them then that one of them had passed away.
In April, Mackenzie turned himself over to the police; last month, his request for bail was denied. He is still exempted from having to enter a plea.
