Cult leader under investigation for alleged involvement in the deaths of approximately 400 individuals, with a notable figure of 191 being children.
In the heart of the Shakahola forest, a chilling discovery has been made. The remains of more than 400 individuals, including children, have been unearthed, sending shockwaves through Kenya and the world.
At the centre of this horrific ordeal is Paul Mackenzie, a cult leader who has been charged with the murder of 191 children. Mackenzie and 29 associates appeared in court in Malindi, Kenya, on February 6, 2024. One of them was found mentally unfit to stand trial.
Mackenzie's alleged crimes stretch back to April 2023, when he was first arrested and charged with terrorism-related crimes, manslaughter, and torture. His lawyer has stated that he is cooperating with the investigation into the deaths.
Neema, a former cult member, bravely shared her harrowing story. She claimed she was held against her will in the forest, was repeatedly raped by guards, and was not given food or water. Neema and her companions managed to escape by making a hole in the rear wall of their mud-walled hut during a guard's meal break.
Some survivors and victims' families have said that Mackenzie urged followers to fast in order to 'go see Jesus.' This fasting, however, led to the tragic deaths of hundreds of children, including many who were the first group identified for fasting and did not escape.
Francis Wanje, a 59-year-old high school teacher, went to investigate after hearing that his daughter and her family might have moved to the forest. He found his nine-year-old grandson at Shakahola but was too late to save some of his other grandchildren. Wanje also rescued another child during his visit to Shakahola.
The cult followers lived in secluded settlements across an 800-acre area in the Shakahola forest. They were allegedly starved, and some victims may have been strangled, suffocated, or beaten to death using blunt objects. Shakahola, where the cult was located, is now under 24-hour police guard and declared a crime scene, with access forbidden.
As the court proceedings continue, the world waits to see justice served for the innocent lives lost in this horrific tragedy. The 30 defendants are scheduled to appear in court today, Wednesday 7 March, for a bond hearing.
The boy Wanje rescued shared a haunting account of his experiences. He told Wanje that he saw his siblings die from starvation at the hands of their parents, an experience he will never forget.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of freedom, safety, and the sanctity of human life. The search for justice continues for the victims and their families.
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