We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Kenyan authorities have exhumed more than 400 bodies from shallow graves linked to a cult whose leader is accused of asking his followers to starve themselves. The tragedy has sparked debate in Kenya about how to protect both religious freedom and the lives of worshippers. Francis Ontomwa has more from Nairobi.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptKENYA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Kenyans Consider Regulations on Religion as Cult Members Bodies’ Exhumed
TEASER: Kenyan authorities have exhumed more than 400 bodies from shallow graves linked to a cult whose leader is accused of asking believers to starve
PUBLISHED: Tuesday, 08/08/2023 at 06:50 EDT
BYLINE: Francis Ontomwa
DATELINE: Nairobi, Kenya
VIDEOGRAPHER: Amos Wangwa
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ, MAS
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA Original & Wires
PLATFORMS WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:26
VID APPROVED BY: pcd
TYPE: TV/R
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Kenyan authorities have exhumed more than 400 bodies from shallow graves linked to a cult whose leader is accused of asking his followers to starve themselves. The tragedy has sparked debate in Kenya about how to protect both religious freedom and the lives of worshippers. Francis Ontomwa has more from Nairobi.]]
((NARRATOR))
Inside a courtroom, the cult leader of a religious groups linked to hundreds of deaths in eastern Kenya.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church is accused of convincing his followers to starve themselves and having their bodies buried in shallow graves near the coastal town of Kilifi, north of Mombasa.
At least 400 bodies have been exhumed so far.
The disturbing scenes have forced the Kenyan government to confront the sensitive subject of regulating religion. It formed a task form in June to gather public opinion on the possibility of imposing such regulations and gave it six months to report its findings.
Some religious leaders are urging caution.
[[FOR RADIO: Pastor Peter Nyagah is with the Seventh Day Adventist church in Nairobi.]]
((Peter Nyagah, Seventh Day Adventist Church Pastor))
“The government is charged with the responsibility of, of course, creating order and ensuring security for its citizens and all that, but I think to me, it is overstepping to want to regulate freedom of worship.”
((NARRATOR))
The case, however, has left many wondering how worshippers can get swept into such extreme religious groups.
This man, who asked not to be identified, told VOA he once belonged to a cult, but broke away when he realized it was on a dangerous path.
((Former Cult Member))
“The strange thing is that they separate you from your family, from your brothers, from your sisters, from your father, from your mother. Your mum may try to intervene, but they tell you no, heaven is singular, heaven is just you.”
((NARRATOR))
He says there were more red flags.
((Former Cult Member))
“The leader of the church says he cannot die a natural death, so, if he dies right now, many people will commit suicide because they believe in him. They believe the church is going to heaven, other churches are going to hell.”
((NARRATOR))
Experts say while the number of cults in Kenya are rising, the government must be cautious about regulating religion.
[[FOR RADIO: Professor Benson Mulemi is an anthropology professor at the University of Pretoria and has done research on the rising number of cults in Kenya.]]
((Benson Mulemi, University of Pretoria Professor of Anthropology))
“The focus should be on regulating and controlling and even punishing things that have been proven to be against basic human rights, basic human freedoms because belonging to a religious group is like freedom of expression.”
((NARRATOR))
The exhumations are still going on near Kilifi and authorities the death toll involving MacKenzie’s followers is still rising.
Kenyans are following the story in horror and searching for answers on how to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
((Francis Ontomwa for VOA News, Nairobi.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Kenya Nairobi.
Embargo DateAugust 8, 2023 16:16 EDT
Byline
Francis Ontomwa, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
