Four people have died, and several others are hospitalized after starving themselves to see Jesus based on the teachings of their preacher in Kilifi, Kenya.
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Newsweek reported that authorities rescued a group of alleged cult members from a forest where they were starving themselves on April 13. According to investigators, the Good News International Church leader might have brainwashed the group, Makenzie Nthenge, also known as Paul Makenzie Nthenge. He previously faced legal issues and proposed shutting down the religious group in 2019.
His charges included religious incitement, disobeying the law, and the indoctrination of children. However, he has denied the charges. Authorities also said they learned about the group’s fasting ceremony after receiving reports that “there were ignorant citizens who were starving to death in pretext to meet Jesus after being brainwashed.”Â
Four worshippers of the Good News International Church in Kilifi county who were fasting to see Jesus have unfortunately died.
According to the police, the ignorant citizens were allegedly brainwashed by one Paul Makenzie Nthenge, who is the pastor of the church. pic.twitter.com/9twNjYbNIy
— 254 News Updates (@254newsupdates) April 14, 2023
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The rescue operations continued on Friday as police believe more people may be in the area. They also suspect other cult members could be buried in a mass grave.
“On April 13 2023, an intelligence report was submitted to Sub-County Criminal Investigation Officers (SCCIO) Malindi by one Karume Fondo,” the report read. “He further alleged that there is a mass shallow grave of victims of that brainwashing totalling to 31 bodies in an unidentified place at Skakahola Forest within Langobaya in Malindi sub country.”
Nthenge was arrested on March 23 after being accused of killing infants and buying them in shallow graves. In addition, he was accused of brainwashing two parents into killing their children to make them “heroes” in the eyes of God. He allegedly buried the children in a shallow grave called Shakahola.
The laws in Kenya prohibit the formation or operation of cults that engage in criminal activities or violate the rights of individuals. The Penal Code, the primary legislation governing criminal offenses in Kenya, contains several provisions that deal with cults and their activities.
Under the Penal Code, any person who forms, joins or participates in a cult that promotes or encourages the commission of criminal acts is guilty of an offense. Additionally, any person who provides financial or material support to a cult with knowledge that the cult is engaged in criminal activities is also guilty of an offense.
The government of Kenya has also established the Anti-Counterfeit Agency, which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals or groups that produce or distribute counterfeit goods, including fake religious or spiritual products.
Moreover, the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Coordination Act requires all non-profit organizations, including religious organizations, to register with the government and submit annual reports on their activities. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in suspending or revoking the organization’s registration.