Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Kenya cult death toll rises to 95 as government sets curfew
Body bags are laid out at the scene where dozens of bodies have been found in shallow graves in the village of Shakahola, near the coastal city of Malindi, in southern Kenya Monday, April 24, 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)
Latest News
April 26, 2023

Kenya cult death toll rises to 95 as government sets curfew

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The latest death toll in Kenya’s cult investigation has risen to 95 as the government announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the ranch owned by a pastor who is accused of ordering his followers to fast to death.

Journalists and human rights activists on Wednesday were barred from accessing the 800-acre (320-hectare) ranch, which has been declared a “disturbed area and an operation zone.”

Pastor Paul Makenzi, who was arrested for allegedly directing his followers to fast to death in order to meet Jesus, remains in police custody until at least May 2. He heads the Good News International Church.

Police say they took 22 people into custody during Wednesday’s search and rescue operation. Authorities have rescued 34 people from the property, which is near the town of Malindi, since police raided the ranch earlier this month.

The Kenya Red Cross Society said that 314 is the latest missing persons figure. Movement will now be restricted on the ranch for 30 days.

“Curfew orders have also been declared and Gazetted within the said area between 1800 hours in the evening up to and until 0600 hours in the morning for 30 days,” Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said in a statement.

Human rights activists have questioned the move to bar them from accessing the ranch where the police have been conducting search and rescue operations alongside exhumations.

“We are the ones who highlighted this case. Why are we being left out now?” activist Victor Kaudo said.

It is unclear why the bodies exhumed on Wednesday were the lowest number since the operation started on Friday.

The director of public prosecutions, Noordin Haji, on Wednesday directed investigating officers to identify the assets of the suspects for purposes of preservation, confiscation and forfeiture in accordance with the law.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

IMF to cut global growth forecast due to Mideast war
International News, Latest News
IMF to cut global growth forecast due to Mideast war
April 9, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—The International Monetary Fund will lower global growth forecasts due to the Middle East war, its chief said Thursday...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mt Pleasant rally to beat Cavalier in JPL
Latest News, Sports
Mt Pleasant rally to beat Cavalier in JPL
April 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Mt Pleasant FA came from behind to beat defending champions Cavalier SC 3-1 in their rescheduled Jamaica Premier League second round...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trinidad delegation to visit Venezuela
Latest News, Regional
Trinidad delegation to visit Venezuela
April 9, 2026
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday said that a Trinidad and Tobago delegation is to visit Ven...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Venezuela police clash with protesters demanding salary rises
International News, Latest News
Venezuela police clash with protesters demanding salary rises
April 9, 2026
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP)—Venezuelan police fired tear gas on Thursday to disperse around 2,000 protesters who marched towards the presidential palace ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump says Iran doing ‘poor job’ of letting oil through Hormuz
International News, Latest News
Trump says Iran doing ‘poor job’ of letting oil through Hormuz
April 9, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States(US) President Donald Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a "very poor job" of allowing oil through t...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Dawes demands accountability after death of baby at Cornwall Regional Hospital
Latest News, News
Dawes demands accountability after death of baby at Cornwall Regional Hospital
April 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica–Opposition spokesman on Health and Wellness Dr Alfred Dawes is calling for an independent inquiry into the death of a baby at Cornwa...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaican teen receives remote kidney transplant in US hospital first
Latest News, News
Jamaican teen receives remote kidney transplant in US hospital first
April 9, 2026
A Jamaican teenager facing Stage 5 kidney failure has successfully received a living donor transplant in a historic procedure at the Joe DiMaggio Chil...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Gager hails Trelawny students for excelling in sports and academics
Latest News, News
Gager hails Trelawny students for excelling in sports and academics
April 9, 2026
TRELAWNY, Jamaica—Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor C Junior Gager had high commendations for Trelawny students who in recent weeks performed outstandingl...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct