Kenya’s starvation cult controversy has escalated, drawing heavy criticism toward the government’s handling of the crisis. At least 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the deadly cult activities, as investigations continue into mass deaths linked to forced starvation.


Paul Mackenzie pushes hundreds to starve, but is Kenya's cult still active? 

Starvation cult scandal deepens in Kenya as government faces criticism

In a shocking development, the death toll in the Kenyan cult linked to a Kenyan pastor, who advised followers to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus Christ", has surpassed 400 after 12 more bodies were discovered on Monday, a senior official said.&nbsp;

Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha told news agency AFP in a message, "Total death Toll - 403," after disinterments were performed in the Shakahola forest, where cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie allegedly asked his followers to starve to death.

Onyancha further added, "Exhumation continues tomorrow," as the investigators are on the lookout for more graves in the forest, where the victims were found for the very first time on April 13.

As per reports by the government over autopsies performed on the victims, starvation has been considered as the probable cause of death. However, some victims, including children, were either choked, beaten or suffocated.

Mackenzie, a former taxi driver-turned-preacher, has been in police custody since mid-April.

According to reports, state prosecutors said that he is facing terrorism or genocide-related charges, however, he hasn't yet been required to enter any plea.

In the month of May, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki had expressed concern that some of Mackenzie's rescued followers were refusing food.&nbsp;

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<h2>Suspect in cult starvation deaths dies in custody after hunger strike</h2>

Last month, a Kenyan accused of involvement in the deaths related to the starvation cult, died after a 10-day hunger strike in police custody, said a prosecutor.

Joseph Buyuka was among 30 people, including pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church, in custody over the deaths of followers of the church.

"The police believe that these individuals... played significant roles in the offences leading to the deaths and illegal disposal of bodies in Shakahola (forest)," court papers said of Buyuka and four others arrested with him.

"He died ...(due to) ... complications from hunger strike and starvation, but we will await postmortem report," Jami Yamina, senior prosecution counsel told a court in Mombasa.

"Two other suspects ... have also taken ill. Police believe it is related to their hunger strike."

<h2>Kenya doomsday cult deaths’ site to be turned into national memorial</h2>

In the month of June, the Kenyan authorities said that the coastal forest where bodies of people linked to the doomsday cult were buried will be converted into a national memorial.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said the forest "where grave crimes have been committed will not remain as it was".&nbsp;

"The government will convert it into a national memorial, a place of remembrance so that Kenyans and the world do not forget what happened here," he said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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In a shocking development, the death toll in the Kenyan cult linked to a Kenyan pastor, who advised followers to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus Christ", has surpassed 400 after 12 more bodies were discovered on Monday, a senior official said.

In a shocking development, the death toll in the Kenyan cult linked to a Kenyan pastor, who advised followers to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus Christ", has surpassed 400 after 12 more bodies were discovered on Monday, a senior official said. Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha told news agency AFP in a message, "Total death Toll - 403," after disinterments were performed in the Shakahola forest, where cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie allegedly asked his followers to starve to death. Onyancha further added, "Exhumation continues tomorrow," as the investigators are on the lookout for more graves in the forest, where the victims were found for the very first time on April 13. As per reports by the government over autopsies performed on the victims, starvation has been considered as the probable cause of death. However, some victims, including children, were either choked, beaten or suffocated. Mackenzie, a former taxi driver-turned-preacher, has been in police custody since mid-April. According to reports, state prosecutors said that he is facing terrorism or genocide-related charges, however, he hasn't yet been required to enter any plea. In the month of May, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki had expressed concern that some of Mackenzie's rescued followers were refusing food. Also read: Trump says he will establish peace in Ukraine within 24 hours of coming to power Suspect in cult starvation deaths dies in custody after hunger strike Last month, a Kenyan accused of involvement in the deaths related to the starvation cult, died after a 10-day hunger strike in police custody, said a prosecutor. Joseph Buyuka was among 30 people, including pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church, in custody over the deaths of followers of the church. "The police believe that these individuals... played significant roles in the offences leading to the deaths and illegal disposal of bodies in Shakahola (forest)," court papers said of Buyuka and four others arrested with him. "He died ...(due to) ... complications from hunger strike and starvation, but we will await postmortem report," Jami Yamina, senior prosecution counsel told a court in Mombasa. "Two other suspects ... have also taken ill. Police believe it is related to their hunger strike." Kenya doomsday cult deaths’ site to be turned into national memorial In the month of June, the Kenyan authorities said that the coastal forest where bodies of people linked to the doomsday cult were buried will be converted into a national memorial. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said the forest "where grave crimes have been committed will not remain as it was". "The government will convert it into a national memorial, a place of remembrance so that Kenyans and the world do not forget what happened here," he said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kenyan starvation cult death toll surpasses 400 after authorities find 12 more bodies

Search teams investigating a Kenyan cult have unearthed additional 22 bodies on Saturday (May 13). With these, the death toll in an investigation into the cult that practised starvation has risen to 201. As per an AFP report citing government officials, the bodies were discovered in a coastal forest.

According to authorities, most of the corpses found in a forest close to the coastal town of Malindi in Kenya are believed to be followers of the pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie.

Rhoda Onyancha, the coast regional commissioner, while announcing the latest figures, revealed that 26 individuals, including Mackenzie and an "enforcer gang" have been arrested over the deaths. The enforcer gang was reportedly assigned to ensure that no one broke their fast or left the forest hideout alive.

During a court hearing last week, Ezekiel Odero, a prominent and wealthy televangelist, was granted bail. Odero is under investigation for multiple charges such as murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering, and is also suspected of having connections to Mackenzie and the bodies discovered in the forest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/court-releases-pastor-accused-of-links-to-kenya-starvation-death-cults-leader-589019">Court releases pastor accused of links to Kenya starvation death cult’s leader</a>

Investigators will halt exhumations for two days to reorganise their efforts, with the process set to resume on Tuesday, according to Onyancha.

As per the Coast Regional Commissioner, over 600 people have been reported missing, including from villages around the forest.

Mackenzie, the founder of the Good News International Church, is accused of inciting his followers to starve themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus."

The 50-year-old taxi driver-turned preacher surrendered on April 14 after police, acting on a tip-off, first entered the Shakahola forest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenya-who-are-the-two-pastors-facing-court-over-starvation-cult-massacre-588142">Kenya: Who are the two pastors facing trial in court over starvation cult massacre?</a>

Most of his victims appear to have died of starvation. However, as per the AFP report quoting chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor, some of the victims, including children, were strangled, beaten, or suffocated.

Some of the corpses had their organs removed, according to court documents filed on Monday.&nbsp;

This has given rise to allegations that the suspects were engaged in forced harvesting of body parts. &nbsp;

However, the nation's Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the organ harvesting suspicions, stating that "it is a theory we are investigating."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Search teams investigating a Kenyan cult have unearthed additional 22 bodies on Saturday (May 13). With these, the death toll in an investigation into the cult that practised starvation has risen to 201.

Search teams investigating a Kenyan cult have unearthed additional 22 bodies on Saturday (May 13). With these, the death toll in an investigation into the cult that practised starvation has risen to 201. As per an AFP report citing government officials, the bodies were discovered in a coastal forest. According to authorities, most of the corpses found in a forest close to the coastal town of Malindi in Kenya are believed to be followers of the pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie. Rhoda Onyancha, the coast regional commissioner, while announcing the latest figures, revealed that 26 individuals, including Mackenzie and an "enforcer gang" have been arrested over the deaths. The enforcer gang was reportedly assigned to ensure that no one broke their fast or left the forest hideout alive. During a court hearing last week, Ezekiel Odero, a prominent and wealthy televangelist, was granted bail. Odero is under investigation for multiple charges such as murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering, and is also suspected of having connections to Mackenzie and the bodies discovered in the forest. Also read | Court releases pastor accused of links to Kenya starvation death cult’s leader Investigators will halt exhumations for two days to reorganise their efforts, with the process set to resume on Tuesday, according to Onyancha. As per the Coast Regional Commissioner, over 600 people have been reported missing, including from villages around the forest. Mackenzie, the founder of the Good News International Church, is accused of inciting his followers to starve themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus." The 50-year-old taxi driver-turned preacher surrendered on April 14 after police, acting on a tip-off, first entered the Shakahola forest. Also read | Kenya: Who are the two pastors facing trial in court over starvation cult massacre? Most of his victims appear to have died of starvation. However, as per the AFP report quoting chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor, some of the victims, including children, were strangled, beaten, or suffocated. Some of the corpses had their organs removed, according to court documents filed on Monday. This has given rise to allegations that the suspects were engaged in forced harvesting of body parts. However, the nation's Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the organ harvesting suspicions, stating that "it is a theory we are investigating." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kenya starvation cult death toll crosses 200; illegal organ harvesting racket suspected

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