By John Ikani
Kenya has announced its intention to transform a vast coastal forest into a national memorial site, following the discovery of mass graves linked to a doomsday cult.
The shocking revelation of over 250 bodies in the Shakahola forest, located near the town of Malindi on the Indian Ocean, has deeply affected the nation.
The cult leader, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, is currently facing multiple charges in connection with this gruesome case. He stands accused of driving his followers to their deaths by preaching that starvation was the only means to reach God.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki emphasized that the forest, which witnessed these heinous crimes, would undergo a significant transformation.
“The government will convert it into a national memorial, a place of remembrance so that Kenyans and the world do not forget what happened here,” stated Minister Kindiki in a recent release.
Continuing the investigation, authorities commenced the third phase of exhumation, uncovering an additional nine bodies, bringing the total death toll to 251. Minister Kindiki confirmed that the cult’s activities extended beyond Shakahola forest, with extensive investigations spanning a vast ranch measuring over 14,980 hectares.
Once the ongoing process concludes, a commemoration service will be held, bringing together believers from diverse faiths and national leadership, as announced by Minister Kindiki.
Although starvation seems to be the primary cause of death, government autopsies reveal that some victims, including children, were subjected to strangulation, beatings, and suffocation.
Mackenzie, a former taxi driver turned preacher, has not yet entered a plea, as the prosecution seeks additional time to detain him for further investigations.
The 50-year-old founder of the Good News International Church surrendered himself to authorities on April 14, following a tip-off received by the police.
Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least 35 individuals in connection with the case.
The forest rescue efforts have saved 95 people, while the police records indicate that 613 individuals remain reported missing.
In response to this horrifying saga, President William Ruto has established a commission of inquiry to investigate the deaths and a task force to review regulations governing religious organizations.
Efforts to regulate religion in Kenya, a predominantly Christian country, have historically faced staunch opposition, with critics arguing that such measures undermine constitutional guarantees regarding the separation of church and state.
