Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has called for stricter regulations on religious centres as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) unearth more disturbing details about the Good News International Church cult in Malindi, Kilifi County.
He made the remarks while condemning the Shakahola Forest Massacre, which has resulted in the discovery of 39 bodies and counting in the 800-acre plot.
“The unfolding Shakahola Forest Massacre is the clearest abuse of the constitutionally enshrined human right to freedom of worship. Prima facie, large- scale crimes under Kenyan law as well as international law have been committed,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“While the State remains respectful of religious freedom, this horrendous blight on our conscience must lead not only to the most severe punishment of the perpetrator(s) of the atrocity on so many innocent souls, but tighter regulation (including self-regulation) of every church, mosque, temple or synagogue going forward.”
Prior to his visit on Tuesday, the Interior CS also ordered a reinforcement of police troops in the Shakahola area to assist with the ongoing investigation.
He also assured that the entire 800-acre forest has been sealed off and declared a scene of crime to prevent further loss of lives.
Following the rescue of a few followers of the cult-like religion by officers from the Malindi police station, family members of other missing victims gathered at the police station in the hopes of finding their kin.
The church’s preacher, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, is the main suspect. He allegedly duped worshippers into fasting “so that they can see God,” a ritual that resulted in the deaths of many worshippers.
