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Kenya: Relatives wait for news after up to 95 bodies discovered at 'starvation cult' ranch in Malindi04:39
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Relatives were seen waiting for news of their loved ones, after it emerged up to 95 bodies including children had now been found in shallow graves in Shakahola forest, Malindi as part of an ongoing inquiry into reports of a 'starvation cult' at the site.

Footage filmed on Wednesday shows police officers and vehicles, as well as emergency health workers at a temporary facility and mortuary. Dozens of anxious family members can be seen at the 'tracing desks' set up to help them record missing people.

"We are again increasing the capacity of our volunteers and staff, especially for psychological and social support," said Hassan Musa, regional manager of the Kenyan Red Cross. "Not only that but also to increase the fleet in terms of vehicles that we carry the survivors from Shakahola to the health facility here."

He stated that the number of missing people had been at 314 the previous day, but that number had since increased by another eight, and he urged relatives to be patient and give officials the time to identify the victims. The site itself spans 800 acres.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge has been arrested, along with 14 others, and is being held pending a court hearing. Media outlets reported that he allegedly ordered followers to starve themselves to 'meet Jesus'.

A police raid earlier in the month found the first bodies. The government has opened a formal inquiry into the group, and is investigating another organisation in the same county.

Kenya: Relatives wait for news after up to 95 bodies discovered at 'starvation cult' ranch in Malindi

Kenya, Malindi
April 28, 2023 at 19:42 GMT +00:00 · Published

Relatives were seen waiting for news of their loved ones, after it emerged up to 95 bodies including children had now been found in shallow graves in Shakahola forest, Malindi as part of an ongoing inquiry into reports of a 'starvation cult' at the site.

Footage filmed on Wednesday shows police officers and vehicles, as well as emergency health workers at a temporary facility and mortuary. Dozens of anxious family members can be seen at the 'tracing desks' set up to help them record missing people.

"We are again increasing the capacity of our volunteers and staff, especially for psychological and social support," said Hassan Musa, regional manager of the Kenyan Red Cross. "Not only that but also to increase the fleet in terms of vehicles that we carry the survivors from Shakahola to the health facility here."

He stated that the number of missing people had been at 314 the previous day, but that number had since increased by another eight, and he urged relatives to be patient and give officials the time to identify the victims. The site itself spans 800 acres.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge has been arrested, along with 14 others, and is being held pending a court hearing. Media outlets reported that he allegedly ordered followers to starve themselves to 'meet Jesus'.

A police raid earlier in the month found the first bodies. The government has opened a formal inquiry into the group, and is investigating another organisation in the same county.

Description

Relatives were seen waiting for news of their loved ones, after it emerged up to 95 bodies including children had now been found in shallow graves in Shakahola forest, Malindi as part of an ongoing inquiry into reports of a 'starvation cult' at the site.

Footage filmed on Wednesday shows police officers and vehicles, as well as emergency health workers at a temporary facility and mortuary. Dozens of anxious family members can be seen at the 'tracing desks' set up to help them record missing people.

"We are again increasing the capacity of our volunteers and staff, especially for psychological and social support," said Hassan Musa, regional manager of the Kenyan Red Cross. "Not only that but also to increase the fleet in terms of vehicles that we carry the survivors from Shakahola to the health facility here."

He stated that the number of missing people had been at 314 the previous day, but that number had since increased by another eight, and he urged relatives to be patient and give officials the time to identify the victims. The site itself spans 800 acres.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge has been arrested, along with 14 others, and is being held pending a court hearing. Media outlets reported that he allegedly ordered followers to starve themselves to 'meet Jesus'.

A police raid earlier in the month found the first bodies. The government has opened a formal inquiry into the group, and is investigating another organisation in the same county.

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