Four people were on Thursday found dead and nearly a dozen others hospitalized in Kenya's coastal Kilifi county, after being rescued while waiting for the imminent end of the world.
According to police, individuals believed to be members of Pastor Paul Mackenzie's Good News International Church were instructed to fast in order to avoid "apocalyptic damnation". As a result, 11 individuals were rescued by authorities, six of whom were severely malnourished and in critical condition. On Friday morning, the police plan to resume their search for additional members of the group, as reports suggest that they may still be located within Shakahola Forest in Langobaya, Malindi. During their investigation, the police discovered a mass shallow grave but were unable to further investigate due to hostile residents in the area who are suspected to be followers of the suspect. The self-proclaimed spiritual leader, who was previously a controversial televangelist, is suspected of preaching a dangerous doctrine that encourages his followers to starve themselves to death for a quicker path to heaven. Although the police rescued victims from the pastor's farm on April 13th, the suspect was not arrested at the scene, despite being present. He was previously charged last month in connection with the deaths of two children whose parents were members of his congregation and is currently out on bail.