2023-04-23 23:56:19
The authorities do not hesitate to speak of “mass killing”. Twenty-six new bodies were exhumed this Sunday in eastern Kenya, bringing to more than 50 the number of remains discovered for more than a week in the investigation into the death of followers of a sect.
This East African country has been shaken for several days by an investigation into an alleged sect, whose guru would have ordered his followers to fast to “meet Jesus”, leading to the death of several of them. In a report seen by AFP, police said they had received reports of people “starving to death on the pretext of meeting Jesus after being brainwashed by a suspect, Makenzie Nthenge, pastor of the Good News International Church”.
According to local media, Makenzie Nthenge was arrested and charged last month after two children died of starvation in the care of their parents. He was then released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings (about 670 euros). But the investigators still decided to search the forest of Shakahola, an area where the faithful took up residence, due to information suggesting a possible mass grave. This is where the first corpses were discovered last week.
“Today we exhumed 26 bodies, bringing the total number to 47” since Friday, said Charles Kamau, chief of criminal investigations of Malindi sub-county (east), adding that the search continues to find other bodies or possible survivors in the forest.
“Fasting to Death”
Despite the fact that the leader of the sect, Makenzie Nthenge, surrendered on April 15 to the police and was taken into custody, followers of the International Church of Good News are still believed to be hiding in the forest. “We are calling on the national government to send troops to the ground so that we can go inside (the forest) and rescue these victims who are fasting to death,” said Hussein Khalid, member of Haki Africa, an organization which alerted the police to the activities of the International Church of Good News.
“Enough security guards have been deployed and the entire forest of nearly 320 ha has been cordoned off and declared a crime scene,” Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki tweeted, saying he will surrender. at the scene on Tuesday. “It’s a big blow and a big shock to our country,” said Sebastian Muteti, child protection officer for Kilifi County, saying it was “mass killings”.
A living faithful was found this Sunday by the authorities. Eyes bulging, she refused to eat before being taken to an ambulance. “She absolutely refused to receive first aid and she resolutely closed her mouth, refusing to be assisted, wanting to continue her fast until death,” said Hussein Khalid. Eleven other worshippers, seven men and four women aged between 17 and 49, were hospitalized last week after being rescued from the forest. According to local media, six devotees of Makenzie Nthenge were also arrested. The case is due to go to court on May 2.
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