Detectives Discover 12 Shallow Graves as Probe into Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s 'Cult' Intensify

Detectives investigating the activities of a cult led by controversial Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie have discovered 12 shallow graves in Kilifi County.

The officers mapped out sections of the worship site at Shakahola Forest in Malindi County with the intention of exhuming the bodies.

During the operation conducted on Wednesday, four people were rescued, among them a female worshipper whose cry for help reached the detectives who were combing the scene. The woman, who was found lying in the forest, was weak and dehydrated.

The graves are believed to contain the remains of followers of Pastor Mackenzie’s Good News International Church who died while fasting in their attempt to “meet God.”

Police believe there are more graves in the wooded area after Mackenzie’s followers allegedly flattened them to conceal the graves.

Plans are underway to exhume the bodies from the shallow graves for further investigations and to facilitate justice.

At least 10 members of the cult have so far lost their lives after fasting to death in an attempt to meet God as advised by Pastor Mackenzie. Others who were rescued are recuperating in hospital.

On Monday, Malindi Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui ordered the detention of Pastor Mackenzie for 14 days pending investigations into the deaths of his followers.

Mackenzie, who is accused of influencing worshippers to fast to death, is being held alongside six of his followers. Seven other followers whom the prosecution described as victims as they refused to eat even while in police custody will be held for seven days for counseling.

The magistrate also canceled a Sh10,000 police bond granted to Mackenzie in an earlier case where he is accused of influencing two minors to fast to death.

Magistrate Usui said the fact that one of the preacher’s victims requested to be released to go and continue with his prayers and fasting in Shakahola was evident enough that such activities were still going on in the area and that releasing the suspects could lead to witness interference.