Death Toll Of Those “Starving To Meet Jesus” Rises To 300

Mackenzie and his Church

The Death toll of those “Starving To Meet Jesus” has reached 300, says a senior official investigating a serious of extremism linked to a Kenyan cult.

The cult members were practicing starvation to “meet Jesus Christ”, but with the bodies of 19 fresh casualties discovered today, number of victims is believed to have surpassed 300.

The country is in alarm, even as police digs in.

Reports monitored by The Eagle indicate the victims as followers of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a taxi driver-turned-preacher who has been in police custody since April 14.

Their bodies were found in a forest near the Indian Ocean town of Malindi, ostensibly while the members were trying to live through the instruction to fast to see Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, young victims are believed to have been strangled, the account continued with Mackenzie due to face charges of “terrorism”.

“The death toll has now risen to 303 after the 19 bodies were exhumed,” Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said.

Mackenzie , 50, has been shepherding the Good News International Church founded by him, and has a cult following amongst the members.

This has been demonstrated by the members’ willingness to follow his fast-to-meet Jesus doctrine, but which has resulted in severe consequences.

Last April 14, police busted his Shakahola forest enclave and he was forced to give himself in.

Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor says while starvation appears to be the main cause of death, some of the victims — including children — were strangled, beaten or suffocated.

Mackenzie has seven children, but it was not clear whether any of his children were among those already dead; however there are questions how he was able to drive the cult this far with the law enforcement agencies noticing.

This is more the case because he had been associated with other cases of extremism and legal battles long before now.

The “Starving To Meet Jesus” saga has again cast attention on the issue of religious cults and their threat to sane society.

The president, William Ruto has set up a commission of inquiry, expected also to reconsider the operational modalities allowed religious bodies generally.

How much of the lessons have sunk in the ears of governments elsewhere is not, however, certain.
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