Bodies presumed to have died of starvation have been found on church property in eastern Kenya. It is known that they have been fasting according to the pastor’s words, “To meet Jesus, you must starve.”
Kenyan police have found a total of 48 bodies in a religious burial ground near the coastal town of Malindi in eastern Kenya, the Associated Press reported on the 24th. It is also known that there were also bodies of children. “In addition to the 21 bodies found earlier, 26 additional bodies were excavated that day,” reported Charles Kamo, head of the Kenya Malindi crime investigation team.
According to the police investigation, Good News International Church leader Mackenzie Ntenzi urged his followers to “starve to meet Jesus.” On the tip of the residents and the human rights organization secretary, who were suspicious of this, the police raided the pastor’s private property, where they found and rescued 4 people who had already died and 15 emaciated people. Believers are known to have fasted and prayed near the church for as little as a week and as long as three months.
“One of the church members found by the authorities refused to eat even though he appeared to be in severe physical pain,” said Hockey Africa secretary Hussein Khalid, who first reported the incident at the time. He refused and wanted to fast until he died.”
In response, the police arrested Pastor Ntenge on the 15th, sealed off Shakahola Forest, which covers an area of about 3,237,000 square meters of private land, and continues excavation work. Police authorities said Pastor Ntenge was fighting in detention, refusing water and food, ahead of a court hearing on the 2nd of next month.
Previously, Pastor Ntenge was arrested and indicted for his involvement in the deaths of two children whose parents locked them in their homes last month and starved them to death. However, he was released after paying about 970,000 won (100,000 shillings) in Korean currency.
Lee Ye-ji,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.