On Monday, Kenyan authorities confirmed the discovery of 12 additional dead in the Shakahola forest, where a gathering of an evangelical group engaged in rigorous fasting, was taking place.
The latest finding raises the dead toll to 403.
Nearly three months after the initial victims of what is known as the
“Shakahola forest massacre” were discovered, police believe that most of the exhumed bodies are those of followers of the Good News International Church, founded by self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who advocated fasting to death in order to “meet Jesus”.
The former taxi driver has been in custody since 14 April and will face charges including “terrorism”.
Sixteen other people are accused of being part of a group of “henchmen” responsible for ensuring that no follower broke the fast or escaped from the forest near the coastal town of Malindi.