TheCable

The death toll from a starvation cult in Kenya’s Shakahola forest has risen to 201.

Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, the cult leader and founder of the Good News International Church, has been accused of ordering his followers to starve to death so they could meet Jesus before the rest of the world.

Although autopsies began two weeks ago, authorities have spent the last week looking for remains and scouring the area for any survivors as hundreds of people are still reported missing.

About 22 bodies were recovered and no survivors were found, police said on Saturday.

On Friday, 29 bodies were unearthed, including those of 12 children which were found in one grave.

Hussein Mohamed, spokesperson to Kenyan President William Ruto, had said a commission of inquiry was appointed to look into the deaths.

Mohamed added that Ruto also appointed a task force to review regulations governing religious organisations in the country.

TheCable reported how Ezekiel Odero, a controversial pastor in Kenya, had also been linked to the casualties from the starvation cult after some people who died at his church were buried on a piece of land in Shakahola forest belonging to Nthenge.

Odero and Nthenge have both been denied bail.