Kenyan police have now exhumed the bodies of 47 people thought to be followers of a Christian cult who believed they would go to heaven if they starved themselves to death.
Police near the coastal town of Malindi started exhuming bodies on Friday from the Shakahola forest.
“In total, 47 people have died at the Shakahola forest,” detective Charles Kamau told Reuters on Sunday.
A number of bodies had already been wrapped in white plastic sheeting.
Earlier this month, police rescued 15 members of the group — worshippers at the Good News International Church — who they said had been told to starve themselves to death. Four of them died before they reached hospital, police said.
The leader of the church, Paul Mackenzie, was arrested following a tip-off that suggested the existence of shallow graves belonging to at least 31 of Mackenzie’s followers.
Police have already arrested the church’s leader, Makenzie Nthenge, who reportedly told followers to starve themselves in order to “meet Jesus”. Two children starved to death in the custody of their parents based on his advice.
Local media, citing police sources, reported that Mackenzie has refused to eat or drink while in police custody. However, he has been released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($700).
One member of the church found by the authorities had refused to eat despite clearly being in physical distress, said Hussein Khalid, a member of Haki Africa, the rights group that tipped off the police to the actions of the church.
“The moment she was brought here, she absolutely refused to be administered with first aid and she closed her mouth firmly, basically refusing to be assisted, wanting to continue with her fasting until she dies,” Khalid was quoted saying in a report by AFP.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said the entire 800 acre forest had been sealed off and declared a scene of crime as some members of the church are suspected to be hiding there.
“This horrendous blight on our conscience must lead not only to the most severe punishment of the perpetrator(s) of the atrocity on so many innocent souls, but tighter regulation (including self-regulation) of every church, mosque, temple or synagogue going forward,” he said.
He also called for bringing strictest punishment possible to the perpetrators adding that there would have to be tighter regulation (including self-regulation) of every church, mosque, temple or synagogue going forward.
(With inputs from Bharat Voice and Reuters)