Over 360 People Registered as Missing in Pastor Mackenzie's Cult Saga

Over 360 people have been reported missing as investigations into a cult linked to Pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church continue.

Kenya Red Cross Coast region manager Hassan Musa said the missing persons were reported at the organization’s Public Information, Tracing and Support Centre in Malindi by their family members.

“Of these, 198 are below 18 years old and a majority of the adults are women,” Musa added.

On Wednesday, police exhumed the bodies of eight children at a ranch in Shakahola, Kilifi County believed to be owned by Pastor Mackenzie. This pushed the death toll in the Shakahola massacre to 98.

Mackenzie is said to have instructed his followers to fast to death in order to meet Jesus before burying them in shallow graves spread across his 800-acre land in Shakahola.

The preacher remains in police custody as investigations and exhumation of victims’ bodies continue, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki indicating that he could be charged with terrorism and genocide. 

Kindiki, who toured the site on Tuesday, said the security team will upscale search and rescue missions to save as many lives as possible.

The cabinet secretary declared the entire Chakama Ranch where the Shakahola forest is located a disturbed area and an operation zone.

He pointed out that the area is an active security operation zone and no member of the public will be allowed no access to it “except as may be permitted by the operation Commander and/or until these orders are vacated.”

Kindiki further declared a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in the area which will run from 1800hrs in the evening up to and until 0600hrs daily.

To hold any gathering within the 20,418 hectares, one would need to obtain a written order from authorities.