Kenya: Cult Forest To Become National Memorial

Kenya’s government has announced that the Shakahola forest, where a Christian doomsday cult killed over 250 of its own members, will be transformed into a memorial site.

On Tuesday, 6 June, Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, was speaking at the start of the third phase of an operation to find and exhume bodies in the area, which is situated near the South-Eastern coastal town of Malindi.

Nine more bodies were recovered on the day, bringing the total number of victims to 251 since digging started in April after the head of the Good News International Church, Pastor Paul Mackenzie, was arrested. Initial autopsy reports say that many of the bodies, including those of children, show signs of starvation, strangulation and suffocation.

Mackenzie, along with 34 other suspects, are expected to appear in court soon, concerning a ruling over if their detainment can be extended from 30 to 60 days.

Mr Kindiki confirmed that the authorities have enough evidence to charge the cult leader with genocide. Ongoing rescue efforts in the forest have saved 95 people so far.

Image Credit: Source