Kenya's "Jonestown": Cult Tragedy Unveils Death Toll Surpassing 370 as Followers Sacrifice Lives for Divine Salvation
"They discovered shallow graves of people who had been allegedly brainwashed to starve to death to meet Jesus."
The death toll in Kenya has risen to 350 as new graves were uncovered, indicating a suspected cult-related massacre. On Monday, 12 additional bodies were exhumed from the vast Shakahola Forest, bringing the reported missing persons to a total of 613, according to Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha.
The fourth phase of the exhumation process commenced within the Shakahola Forest, starting at the residence of one of the suspects, Titus Musyoka, who is currently in police custody. Detectives and pathologists began digging in Musyoka's compound, where they had identified graves.
During the installation of the new Deputy County Commissioner in Igoji on July 10, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Abraham Kithure Kindiki, confirmed that 339 lives had been lost in the Shakahola tragedy within Kilifi County. Furthermore, 40 mass graves had been discovered, suggesting the possibility of finding more bodies.
The shocking killings came to light in early April when a man reported his wife and daughter missing after they had joined the Good News International Ministries, owned by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, and failed to return. Subsequent police investigations uncovered shallow graves of individuals who were allegedly brainwashed and starved to death in order to meet Jesus.
The initial search for the property led to the discovery of children buried in shallow graves and additional survivors on the brink of starvation, prompting a second phase of investigation. This phase revealed 129 more decomposing bodies. In the third phase, which began on June 6, additional bodies were exhumed, bringing the total number of killings in Shakahola to 339.
Mackenzie and other suspects involved in the Shakahola mass killing investigation were arrested and presented in court on June 12. On July 3, Rhoda Maweu, Mackenzie's wife, was released by the Shanzu Magistrate Court on a personal bond of KES 300,000. The court ruled that the state had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify Maweu's continued detention alongside the other accused individuals. However, Mackenzie and the co-accused were ordered to remain in custody for another 30 days.
Cabinet Secretary Kindiki emphasized the government's commitment to prevent future tragedies like Shakahola. He expressed firm resolve in cracking down on rogue preachers, urging religious leaders to operate within the boundaries of the Constitution and Kenyan laws. Kindiki emphasized that misleading congregations is no different from engaging in acts of terrorism.