The deceased, who are said to be members of the Good News International Church, were reportedly instructed by their pastor, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, to starve themselves to death in order to “meet Jesus”.
According to the Kenya Broadcasting Station (KBC), 58 graves have been identified so far, and dead children were also exhumed.
BBC also reports that 15 members of the church were rescued alive from shallow graves in the Shakahola forest.
Pastor Nthenge was arrested on April 15 after authorities uncovered four corpses believed to have died of starvation.
This prompted more research, which resulted in the discovery of more graves and corpses. Meanwhile, the clergyman, also known as the ‘cult leader,’ has denied committing any crime.
A police source who spoke to AFP news agency said,
“In one grave, investigators found the bodies of three children with their father on one side and their mother on the other side. Another grave contained the bodies of a woman and a girl, both facing each other. All appeared to have died in recent weeks.
“Police have identified at least 58 suspected graves on the grounds of the Good News International Church, raising fears that the death toll will rise significantly. One Kenyan media outlet reported that more than 100 people may have been buried in the graves.
“We have not even scratched the surface which gives a clear indication that we are likely to get more bodies by the end of this exercise.”
See more photos from the scene below,
