cult labells Kenya’s worst security breach

BINTU JIDDA

12 JULY, 2023

Kenya says the deaths of over 300 people linked to a doomsday cult is its worst security breach in history.

Standing before a Senate committee, Kenyan security minister, Prof Kithure Kindiki, said that the suspected cult leader, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge’s activities, in the Shakahola forest were reported from as early as 2020.

“A report was filed at the Langobaya police station. No action was taken. Some of the officers and judicial officers must answer that question,” he said.

About 339 people linked to the Good News International Church either starved themselves to death, or were badly beaten or strangled at the Shakahola forest in south-eastern Kenya.

Ten more bodies were exhumed from the forest on Tuesday raising the death toll to 360.

The cult leader, Mr Mackenzie, preached that the world was about to end and allegedly convinced his followers to starve to death to see Jesus.

Mr Mackenzie has not officially been charged.