Death toll climbs to 89 as Kenyan cult members succumb to self-starvation in hopes of reaching heaven

The death toll among followers of a Kenyan cult who believed they would go to heaven if they starved themselves has risen to 89. Ongoing exhumations are taking place in an area of the Shakahola forest where the self-proclaimed Good News International Church was based.

Police officers stand near a cordon at the scene where police are exhuming bodies of victims of Christian cult that has led to death of dozens of followers, at a forest in Shakahola area, outskirts of Malindi town, Kenyan Coast Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Kenya's president William Ruto said Monday that the starvation deaths of dozens of followers of pastor Paul Makenzi, who was arrested on suspicion of telling his followers to fast to death in order to meet Jesus, is akin to terrorism (AP Photo) Source: AP / Stringer/AP