47 bodies were dug up in a forest over the weekend as part of investigations into a cult leader in Kenya. After the discovery of 21 bodies yesterday in the Shakahola forest in the east of the country, the investigators discovered 26 more dead, the police said. The search for more bodies will continue.
The remains of four followers of the “International Church of the Good News” had already been found in the past few weeks. According to police sources, several children were among the victims. Several followers of the sect are still hiding in the Shakahola Forest. One of them was found there on Sunday and taken to a hospital.
Starved to death ‘to meet Jesus’
The leader of the sect, Makenzie Nthenge, had called on his followers to starve themselves to “meet Jesus”. Eleven cult members – seven men and four women between the ages of 17 and 49 – were hospitalized after a rescue operation in Shakahola Forest last week.
A police report seen by AFP said Nthenge had “brainwashed” the cult members into starving themselves to death. The sect leader turned himself in to the police on April 15 and was taken into custody. A police source said the suspect had gone on a hunger strike. He “prays and fasts,” it said.
According to local media, six supporters of Nthenge were also arrested. The cult leader was reportedly arrested last month after two children starved to death in their parents’ care. However, he was released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings (674.42 euros).
