Malindi Cult: 21 Dead, 100 Feared Buried; Pastor Ordered Congregation To Starve

Summary:

• The Malindi Cult, led by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, has been linked to the discovery of mass graves with at least 21 bodies found, and over 100 people feared buried in Kenya. Many of the victims are believed to be children.
• Mackenzie allegedly instructed his followers to starve their children to death in order to “meet Jesus,” leading to an ongoing investigation by authorities.
• The cult leader has faced multiple charges in the past, including promoting radicalization and denying children access to health and education.

The Mass Graves Discovery

In April 2023, mass graves were discovered in the Shakahola forest near Malindi, a coastal town about 100 kilometers northeast of Mombasa, Kenya. At least 21 bodies have been recovered so far, and many are believed to be children. Investigators found the bodies of three children with their father on one side and their mother on the other side in one grave, while 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.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie Biography

Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge is the controversial leader of the Malindi Cult, a religious group from Malindi, Kenya. Although there is limited information available on his early life and personal background, his name has become synonymous with the horrifying events surrounding the Malindi Cult and its extremist beliefs.

Mackenzie claims to be a follower of the End Time Message of William Branham, an American Christian minister and faith healer. Branham’s teachings revolve around end-time prophecies and are considered controversial by many mainstream Christian denominations.

Throughout his career as a religious leader, Mackenzie has faced multiple charges related to his sermons and teachings. Between 1997 and 2003, he was charged four times but was acquitted each time due to lack of evidence. In 2017, he and his wife, Joyce Mwikamba, were charged with promoting radicalization, denying children access to health and education, and running an unauthorized school and television station. They were released after investigating officers found them innocent.

Mackenzie’s anti-education stance has drawn criticism from the community, as he has been known to call education “evil.” He and his wife have been accused of inciting children to drop out of school, often without parental consent.

In April 2023, the horrifying discovery of mass graves in connection with the Malindi Cult brought Mackenzie’s name into the international spotlight. At least 21 bodies have been recovered so far, with many believed to be children. More than 100 people are feared to have been buried in the graves.

Mackenzie and six of his followers were arrested, but the cult leader has since gone on a hunger strike, refusing even a glass of water. The investigation into the Malindi Cult continues, and the community struggles to come to terms with the tragic events that have unfolded.

The Good News International Church

The Malindi Cult, led by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, is a religious group from Malindi, Kenya. According to the group’s website, they claim to be members of the End Time Message of William Branham. Investigators uncovered a library of Branham’s teachings at the commune, which were pictured in a news broadcast.

Investigation and Arrests

Police Operation

The investigation began in late March when two boys were found dead after being starved and then suffocated by their parents. A tip led police to Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, who allegedly gave them “advice” on how to go to heaven and meet Jesus.

“We went for an operation in Shakahola after receiving information that there is a person who is radicalizing people – or rather brainwashing people – that they should starve their children to death so that they can see God in the future,” police investigator Charles Kamau said after the pastor’s arrest in late March.

Paul Mackenzie Nthenge’s Arrest

Mackenzie and six of his followers remain in police custody, but the cult leader is now on a hunger strike himself. “He has not taken even a glass of water,” a police source told the Daily Nation newspaper on Saturday.

Previous Incidents

2017 Church Raid

Mackenzie, who previously told a reporter that “education is evil,” was also arrested in 2017 after police raided his church and rescued more than 90 children, some of whom described his teachings as satanic, while others defended him with quotes from the Bible. Mackenzie was later released and moved his church to Shakahola.

Court Charges and Acquittals

Mackenzie was charged four times between 1997 and 2003 for his sermons but was acquitted each time due to lack of evidence. In 2017, Mackenzie and his wife Joyce Mwikamba were charged with promoting radicalization. They were also charged with denying children access to health and education, as well as running an unauthorized school and television station in their home. They were released after investigating officers found them innocent.

In 2019, Mackenzie was arrested for inciting the public against registration for Huduma Namba by likening it to the Number of the Beast. He was released. He was also accused of brainwashing and abducting children to join his cult. It was after this incident that he closed his church and moved to a remote commune in Shakahola.

Mackenzie’s Beliefs and Teachings

End Time Message of William Branham

The Malindi Cult, led by Mackenzie, claims to follow the End Time Message of William Branham, an American Christian minister and faith healer. Branham’s teachings revolve around end-time prophecies and are considered controversial by many mainstream Christian denominations.

Education and Radicalization

Mackenzie is known for his anti-education stance, calling it “evil.” He and his wife were charged in 2017 with denying children access to health and education, as well as promoting radicalization. They have been accused of inciting children to drop out of school, often without parental consent.

Impact on the Community

Criticism from Community Leaders

In 2018, Mackenzie was criticized by community leaders, including the then Malindi MP, Aisha Jumwa, and other activists for inciting children to drop out of school. They were concerned about the welfare of the children and the impact of Mackenzie’s teachings on the community.

Children’s Welfare

The discovery of the mass graves and the alleged starvation of children by the Malindi Cult have raised serious concerns about the welfare of children in the community. The authorities and community leaders are working together to ensure the safety of the remaining children and to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Denial of Health and Education

As part of their radical teachings, Mackenzie and his wife have been accused of denying children access to essential services like health and education. This has resulted in significant harm to the children involved and has disrupted the lives of their families.

Conclusion

The shocking discovery of mass graves in connection with the Malindi Cult has drawn international attention to the horrifying actions of its leader, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge. With at least 21 dead and more than 100 feared buried, this tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by radical religious teachings and the importance of safeguarding the welfare of children. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this harrowing ordeal.

FAQs

1. What is the Malindi Cult? The Malindi Cult is a religious group from Malindi, Kenya, led by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie. They claim to follow the End Time Message of William Branham.
2. How many people have died in connection with the Malindi Cult? At least 21 bodies have been recovered so far, and it’s feared that more than 100 people may have been buried in the mass graves.
3. What led to the investigation of the Malindi Cult? The investigation began after two boys were found dead, having been starved and suffocated by their parents. A tip led police to Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, who allegedly advised his followers on how to go to heaven and meet Jesus by starving their children to death.

4. What charges have been brought against Paul Mackenzie Nthenge in the past? Mackenzie has faced several charges, including promoting radicalization, denying children access to health and education, running an unauthorized school and television station, and inciting the public against registration for Huduma Namba.
5. What actions are being taken to ensure the safety of the remaining children in the community? Authorities and community leaders are working together to safeguard the welfare of the remaining children, investigate the Malindi Cult, and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.