After church leaders such as Paul Mackenzie and Ezekiel Odero were arrested on suspicion of advising individuals to starve themselves to reach paradise, forensic teams began searching a Kenyan forest in the fear that dozens more victims may still be uncovered.
As authorities continue to discover carcasses in Kenya, they have linked at least 103 deaths to a suspected starvation cult.
After the remains were discovered in Shakahola forest, where the Good News International Church was located, a prominent preacher was apprehended.
Several dozens of individuals were also rescued during the police assault, but the majority were unable to walk or speak. Some were discovered malnourished and later perished.
Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the congregation, is in custody and accused of telling people to starve themselves to enter heaven. He has denied any misconduct.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero, the second man to be arrested, was anticipated in court on Friday.
The interior minister of Kenya stated that he would “face criminal charges related to the mass murder of his followers.”
Odero’s New Life Prayer Centre Church is located in the same region as Mackenzie’s, on Kenya’s east coast, and has over 400 thousand YouTube subscribers and 70 million views.
Senior politicians have attended his services, and individuals from all over Kenya travel to the church.
The bodies were discovered in the forest two weeks ago when the site was raided following an alert. Fourteen additional members of the cult were also being detained.
Images of the 800-acre ranch depict mud houses with palm-thatched roofs dispersed among the trees and vegetation.
Since the local Red Cross reported over 200 missing people, the death toll may rise.
The public prosecutions office in Kenya has stated that it is considering charges including homicide, radicalization, and endangering public safety.
