Death toll in Kenyan fasting cult passes 300

Authorities said those killed were members of the International Evangelical Church led by Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly ordered his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so they could go to heaven before the end of the world.

Security personnel and forensic teams continue to find more bodies at the scene. Photo: Reuters

A total of 303 people have died after 19 new bodies were recovered from mass graves in Shakahola Forest in southeastern Kenya. Regional official Rhoda Onyancha said more than 600 people were still missing.

Local media reported that about 65 followers of the sect rescued from the terrifying area continued to attempt suicide by refusing to eat from June 6 to 10 while at the rescue center.

Kenya’s interior minister, Kithure Kindiki, expressed concern last month that some of Mackenzie’s rescued followers were refusing to eat. One of them had died, he said at the time.

Pastor Mackenzie handed himself in to police in April and was refused bail last month. He has not yet been asked to enter a plea. Mackenzie was arrested on suspicion of killing two children by starvation and suffocation earlier this year, but was later released.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/so-nguoi-chet-trong-vu-giao-phai-nhin-an-o-kenya-vuot-qua-con-so-300-post251518.html