14 More Bodies Found In Probe On Kilifi Cult Leader Mackenzie


Fourteen more bodies of people believed to be occultism victims were dug out of graves on a piece of land in Shakahola village, Kilifi County, on Saturday.

This happened as the search for more bodies entered day two.

Police are searching mass graves on the piece of land that belongs to cult leader Paul Mackenzie.

The discovery of the 14 bodies brought to 21 the number of bodies found since the search began on Friday.

At the beginning of the exercise, the authorities had a total of 32 sites to dig up.

By the close of the operation on Friday, they still had more than 20 left.

They had hoped to recover 32 bodies as per an informer.

Mackenzie has been in the limelight for allegedly influencing his followers too fast to death.

He was arrested on April 15 and has been in police custody since the Malindi High Court denied him release on bond.

In one of the graves that had been dug up were the bodies of five family members – a father, a mother, and their three children.

Authorities carried out the exhumations despite heavy rains, with police and locals dividing themselves into three groups to improve the pace.

Bad weather forced officials to call off the exercise earlier than expected – at about 6.30 pm.

Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, appeared before Malindi Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui on Monday afternoon

He was not required to plead to any charge, with the prosecution seeking 30 more days to hold him as they complete the probe.

He was arraigned alongside 13 others people in the case that will be mentioned on May 2.

The ruling was for the cult leader to remain in police custody for 14 days alongside six of his followers.

The other seven, whom the prosecution described as victims as they had refused to eat even while in police custody, will be held for seven days for counseling.

Police said he had been on a hunger strike for the past four days.