Starving Followers Found on a Pastor’s Land: Kenyan Police Search a Church Leader’s Property

• Police in coastal Kenya found 15 severely malnourished followers on a pastor’s property
• Four of them died after being taken to hospital
• Pastor Paul Makenzi of Good News International Church had turned himself in
• Police investigated reports of a possible mass grave on his land

Police in coastal Kenya found 15 severely malnourished people on the property of a church pastor, and four of them died after being taken to hospital, the Associated Press reported in a story carried by the Jamaica Observer.

Authorities acted on a tip that dozens of people were starving themselves because their pastor had told them it was necessary to meet Jesus. Most of those found could not walk or speak when officers arrived. The four who died had not been identified, and their bodies were taken to a morgue in Malindi.

Paul Makenzi, pastor of Good News International Church, turned himself in to police in Malindi. He had earlier been arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of two children among church members, had pleaded not guilty and had been released on bond while that trial continued. Residents had previously complained to local officials that he was promoting cultism. Kenya, a largely religious country, regularly deals with cult-related problems.

Police investigated reports of a possible mass grave on the pastor’s land, although initial searches found nothing. Malindi sub-county police commander John Kemboi said investigations were continuing.

In this case a church leader’s private land was used for gatherings that ended in deaths. Churches normally worship in public buildings where anyone can walk in. When a religious group moves onto isolated private land, away from inspection and public view, abuse can go unnoticed. Jamaica has had its own experience of a ministry compound where people died. It echoes the calls for closer oversight of religious groups heard in Jamaica after the Pathways tragedy. Planning, public health and police checks on religious groups that use isolated private land for residential or retreat purposes would be one practical way to act on those calls.

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