Death toll from Shakahola cult-like worship rise to 58, 112 missing as president Ruto vow action

The death toll from the cult-like worship linked to controversial pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie has risen to 58 as more bodies were exhumed even as president William Ruto vowed action saying the horrific incidents are tantamount to terrorism.

Earlier today, the president said Monday Mackenzie belongs in prison as “what is being witnessed in Shakahola is akin to terrorism”. He noted.

So far, 27 people have been rescued alive 47 people have been confirmed dead, among them 39 bodies exhumed from shallow graves.

Mackenzie owns Good News International Church.

At the same time, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome confirmed the bodies recovered so far stands at 58 even as more mass graves continue to be identified.

Today, Koome accompanied by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed visited the scene of where gullible worshippers were indoctrinated to participate in deadly fasting and buried without the knowledge of the local administration.

However, no one has explained how the deceased were involved in the cultic worshipping, died and buried in shallow mass graves without the knowledge of the local administration.

Koome said according to police criminal records, Mackenzie has several previous different criminal records dating back to the year 2017.

“The most recent reports of activities of the cult leader were made to the police on March 17, 2023, after he was linked with the death of two children who were allegedly starved to death on instructions issued by Paul McKenzie that they observe fasting till death in order to meet their maker. The accused was arrested and arraigned in Court on March 23, 2023, before he was released by the court on Sh10,000 cash bail. He was rearrested on April 14, 2023, after he surrendered himself to the Police, and thereafter arraigned in Malindi Law Courts on April 17, 2023 where a custodial order of fourteen days was granted to enable Police conclude investigations.” Koome said.

“Mackenzie, who acts as a pastor, is in fact a terrible criminal. Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing.” President Ruto said, adding that the cult leader and others like him should be in jail.

Yesterday, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki termed the happenings as “massacre”.

He is expected to tour the area tomorrow. Koome and Amin’s today visit was part of the Kindiki’s advance team.

A help desk set up by the Kenya Red Cross to help in tracing and counselling in Kilifi indicates a total of 112 people have been reported missing.

The desks have been set up at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital for the Shakahola response.

Police have camped at Mackenzie’s 800-acre land exhuming bodies occasioned by starvation after the controversial pastor followers to fast to death in order to meet their maker.

The widespread incident that was executed without the notice of the long arm of the law has been described as one of the major security lapse in the recent past.