Pastor Mackenzie's Cult: Family of Five Among More 14 Bodies Exhumed in Kilifi

The bodies of a family of five, including a man, a woman and three kids were on Saturday exhumed from one of the Shakahola graves in Kilifi County.

The five were among 14 bodies dug out of shallow graves discovered on a vast land believed to be owned by controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is linked to the ‘Jangwani’ cult.

Saturday’s exhumation brought the total number of bodies dug out to 21. The victims are suspected to have fast to death on instructions of Pastor Mackenzie in order to “meet God.”

On Friday, forensic detectives exhumed the bodies of seven people from two of the 58 shallow graves identified by police in the 800-acre parcel of land in Shakahola.

Pastor Mackenzie was arrested last week in connection with the deaths of his followers, who are said to have died after going for several days without food or water.

Malindi Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui on Monday ordered the detention of Pastor Mackenzie for 14 days pending investigations.

Despite Mackenzie’s Good News International Church being shut down in 2019, the preacher has continued to attract the masses through his preaching of the ‘end times and fasting to go to heaven.’