new autopsies confirm strangulation and asphyxiation

Not all of the victims died of starvation. New autopsies have revealed cases of murder in the case of the 109 dead found in a Kenyan forest where followers of an evangelical sect practicing extreme fasting gathered, authorities report on Wednesday (May 3rd). About 30 bodies were autopsied on Tuesday, after a dozen the day before during the first day of forensic examinations carried out in this file, which caused horror in this religious country of East Africa.

Investigators suspect that many of the victims were followers of the International Church of Good News. They would have followed the precepts decreed by their pastor John Nthenge Mackenzie, who advocated fasting until death to “meet jesus”. But, like Monday, where two cases of children who died of asphyxiation had been noted, the forensic experts noted Tuesday deaths not caused by a lack of food.

Eighteen people prosecuted for terrorism

“A child had a traumatic brain injury”, resulting from a blow with a blunt object, said Johansen Oduor, the national head of forensic services. On another child, “we could clearly see marks of someone being strangled and broken bones in the neck” And “we are certain that he was strangled”, he added. Two adults also died of“choking” after obviously having his nose and mouth covered, he continued.

A total of 109 people, the majority of them children, have been discovered so far in the Shakahola forest, and the search for other mass graves continues. On Tuesday, justice announced that it would prosecute 18 people for “terrorism”, including Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who gathered his followers in this forest on the Kenyan coast. Another pastor, Ezekiel Odero, one of the most influential in the country, is suspected of being involved in what is now called “the Shakahola forest massacre”. Arrested last week, he must appear Thursday before a court which will decide on possible prosecution.