An investigation into a preacher who allegedly instructed his followers to starve to death has led Kenyan police to exhume 21 bodies, including those of children, in the vicinity of the coastal town of Malindi. More bodies are anticipated to be discovered as the investigation continues. The graves were located in Shakahola forest, where 15 members of the Good News International Church were recently rescued. The preacher, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, is currently in police custody and awaiting trial.

According to the state broadcaster KBC, 58 graves have been identified in relation to a "cult leader", whom they referred to as Mr. Mackenzie. He has been denied bail and denies any wrongdoing, maintaining that his church was closed down in 2019. It is alleged that he instructed his followers to starve themselves so they could "meet Jesus".

Pathologists will conduct DNA tests and other examinations to determine whether the victims died of starvation, according to the Kenyan daily The Standard. Mr. Mackenzie was arrested on April 15th after four bodies were discovered, believed to be individuals who had starved to death. Victor Kaudo from the Malindi Social Justice Centre told Citizen TV that when they come across a large cross in the forest, it indicates that more than five individuals are buried in that area.

According to a report by The Standard, the preacher in question purportedly baptized his followers in ponds in three villages named Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Judea, before instructing them to fast. Kenya is known to be a religious nation and there have been instances in the past where individuals have been attracted to hazardous and unregulated churches or cults.