Police in Malindi, Kilifi County, rescued 11 people who were on the brink of death following an alleged directive they received from controversial Pastor Paul Makenzie Nthenge of Good News International Church.
In a police statement seen by K24 Digital, four others died before they were rescued at Langobaya village.
Police were acting following a tip-off from a member of the church who claimed that there was a mass grave of 31 people at Shakahola Forest.
"Today 14th April 2023, a contingent under the command of SCPC and SCCIO Malindi visited the scene for fact-finding.
"The team was able to reach a few households and managed to rescue 15 people among them six were emaciated and in critical condition.
"Medics from Malindi were called in to assist in evacuation but while in the process of rescuing the victims, four of them died and medic from Malindi sub-county hospital declared them posthumous," the statement read in part.
11 people admitted
The 11 rescued victims were admitted to Malindi sub-county hospital with three of them in critical condition.
The victims were identified as Allan Obiero aged 17 years from Majengo, Kisumu; Wycliffe Waimoi aged 43 years from Kisumu West; Paul Karisa Katana from Bamba, Kilifi County; Jane Nyambura aged 38 years from Vihiga County; Mercy Aoko aged 35 years from Kisumu; Felix Wandera aged 37 years from Busia; David Abuhaya aged 49 years from Vihiga; Collins Kabaye aged 22 years from Mbale, Busia County; Monica Masika aged 36 years from Kakamega; Alfred Shitemi aged 32 years from Vihiga; and an unknown female adult under critical condition.
"The team was unable to identify the mass grave by virtue of vast land and hostile residents in the forest.
"It is further suspected that there are many victims in the forest believed to belong to the suspect," police added.
Dead bodies were taken to Malindi Sub-County hospital mortuary pending identification and autopsy.
Pastor Paul was arraigned on March 23, 2023, following the death of his two children starved to death to 'appease' god.
