Shakahola cult: Police find suspected mastermind allied to Mackenzie
A man who identified himself as "Pastor Zablon Wa Yesu" (centre) is escorted by police in Shakahola, Kilifi County, on March 24, 2023.
What you need to know:
- Authorities confirmed finding seven bodies in one grave on Monday, the highest from one site since the operation to exhume bodies of victims began last week.
Police are holding a man suspected to be a co-mastermind, and one of the top leaders of the cult led by Paul Mackenzie that led to dozens of his followers starving themselves to death after they were told they would meet Jesus.
The man, who identified himself as Pastor Zablon wa Yesu, was found reading a Bible on the expansive 800-acre land owned by Mr Mackenzie, where police have since Friday, April 21, been exhuming bodies of victims. At the end of Monday, April 24, those exhumed numbered 65, with eight others who had been rescued dying in hospital.
A man who identified himself as "Pastor Zablon Wa Yesu" in Shakahola, Kilifi County, on March 24, 2023.
Police also rescued nine people from starvation on Monday. Five of those who were rescued were in critical condition and were rushed to hospital.
Zablon, however, was not fasting. He said he was waiting until June, when he would start fasting along with some other men from their Good News International Church.
Authorities also confirmed finding seven bodies in one grave on Monday, the highest from one site, since the exhumations of victims began last week.
Several government officials trooped to Shakahola village today, including Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji.
IG Japhet Koome (right) and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed in Shakahola village on May 24, 2023.
President William Ruto also spoke for the first time on the matter today.
