Over 30 Children Feared Dead After Pastor Ordered Them To Fast For 40 Days
A seven year old been rescued by the police during the operation
Villagers in Shakahola village in Magarini say many children have died by starvation in the area following a 40 days fast decree from a pastor .
Paul Makenzi of Good News Ministries in Magarini ordered his congregation to make their children fast to save them from a” looming calamity”.
Pastor Makenzi was arrested at his church on Wednesday while delivering an afternoon service but released on 10,000 bail on Thursday.
The pastor told his congregants that it was the children turn to fast followed by women and then the men before the disaster happens.
He claimed to have the ability to speak with God and to perform healing miracles.
He told the police that God had told him the children needed to fast and die ‘peacefully’ before the calamity which they would have died gnashing their teeth because of the pain.
”God had directed me to save his mankind from the pain that was on the looming”
Malindi police boss John Kemboi confirmed the arrest of the pastor and said preliminary investigations are ongoing to ascertain the number of children who have died .
Already two children have been confirmed dead by the police.
According to Francis Wanje who lost two of his grand sons to the fast , the pastor had ordered a religious fast that lasted as long as 40 days for the children.
”My daughter in law is a member of that church ,and she locked her two sons inside the house in the fasting mood untill they died ” Wanje said.
One boy was buried last week on Wednesday and the other one died two days after and he was also buried.
The boys were reduced to skin and bones, unable to lift their own head up during their last days.
This case of Pastor Paul Makenzi , is not unheard of as Cult-like religious leaders have previously been linked to criminal acts.
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