The body count in the apocalyptic “doomsday” cult reportedly headed by Pastor Paul Mackenzie has escalated to 201, following the unearthing of 22 more bodies by police.
Kenyan officials reveal that a majority of the bodies displayed signs of severe malnourishment, as Mackenzie allegedly directed his followers to starve to death in order to unite with Jesus.
The sect was active in coastal Kenya, centered on Mackenzie’s vast 800-acre property in Kilifi County. Authorities have discovered dozens of mass graves at the site, while hundreds of followers are still unaccounted for. Mackenzie was apprehended last month and it is anticipated he will face charges linked to terrorism.
In spite of Mackenzie’s refutation of any misconduct and insisting that he disbanded his church in 2019, shifting to his Shakahola forest property solely for agricultural purposes, post-mortem examinations on over 100 bodies have concluded that the victims died from hunger, suffocation, strangulation, and blunt force injuries. Some local news sources have disclosed that some of the corpses were missing internal organs.
In the coming weeks, Mackenzie, his spouse, and 16 additional suspects are scheduled to appear in court.
Rhoda Onyancha, the Coast regional commissioner, reported that 26 individuals have been arrested, and 610 people have been declared missing by their relatives. The precise number of survivors rescued from Mackenzie’s estate remains unclear, but several were discovered in such a debilitated state that they were incapable of walking.
This distressing incident has raised concerns regarding other religious sects in Kenya. Consequently, authorities are questioning other spiritual leaders whose teachings are deceptive and infringe upon human rights.
Kenyan President William Ruto has formed a commission of inquiry to scrutinize the numerous fatalities under the pastor’s influence and propose action against institutions that neglected to act against the cult leader.
In the past, Mackenzie has encountered legal issues and is presently confronting charges connected to multiple child deaths in his church in an ongoing trial. Authorities were notified by local residents after Mackenzie’s followers relocated to the region.
