World’s most chilling cults, from Japan’s Aum Shinrikyo to Swiss sect Solar Temple
- In Guyana in 1987, US preacher Jim Jones coerced his People’s Temple sect into committing ‘revolutionary suicide’, urging parents to give their children poison
- 700 members of an Uganda cult burned to death in 2000 after they locked themselves inside a church and set the building ablaze
According to the statement, 11 bodies were discovered in a forest area in the south of the country not far from the coastal city of Malindi since the previous day alone. Forensic experts and rescuers were continuing to search for bodies and survivors.
The authorities in Malindi had received a tip-off about a week and a half ago that followers of a local pastor were fasting to death in the forest area in the hope of “meeting Jesus”.
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Kenyan ‘starvation cult’ investigation continues with 47 bodies found so far
The following day, police found 15 starving people in a remote settlement in a forest called Shakahola, six of whom were in critical condition.
Four of them died during rescue operations, according to police. Following tips, police began combing the sprawling forest area for mass graves.
A free church pastor from Malindi, who is suspected to own the forest area, was arrested as a cult leader. He has been in custody since April 17.
Other notorious sects
Following the deaths in Kenya, here is a look at other notorious sects around the world.