Pastor Was Arrested Over The Death Of Four People He Instructed To Starve To Death So They May Meet Jesus
Makenzie Nthenge, a preacher, was detained by Kenyan authorities in connection with the deaths of four of his followers whom he allegedly told to starve in order to “meet Jesus.”
On Friday, April 14, after receiving complaints of “ignorant citizens starving to death under the pretext of meeting Jesus after being brainwashed by a suspect, Makenzie Nthenge, a pastor of Good News International Church,” the police conducted a raid in the Shakahola forest close to the town of Malindi.
Four of the members were discovered dead during the raid, while eleven others had to be sent directly to the hospital. According to reports, three hospital patients are in critical condition. Seven men and four women, ages 17 to 49, were among the 11 who were sent to the hospital, according to the report.
“The pastor is under arrest after he surrendered because he knew we were looking for him,” said Charles Kamau, criminal investigations chief of Malindi sub-county.
Kamau said the pastor is in custody ahead of a court appearance scheduled for Monday, April 17
Investigators are expected to continue their search in the Shakahola forest on Saturday amid reports of a possible mass grave where other followers could have been buried.
“It is further suspected that there are many victims in the forest land believed to belong to the suspect,” the police report said.
Local media reports that Nthenge was arrested and charged last month after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents. He was later released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($700).