EDITORIAL BRIEF: The rescue operation and subsequent exhumation of bodies shed light on the widespread and disturbing activities of the cult, and it is hoped that justice will be served for the victims and their families. The government officials’ visit to the site and President Ruto’s comments show a commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring that such atrocities do not occur again in the future.
On Monday, police rescued nine people from death by starvation, five of whom were in critical condition and had to be rushed to the hospital. The rescue operation was part of a larger effort to dismantle a cult operating on an 800-acre land owned by its leader. The suspected mastermind of the cult, who called himself “Pastor Zablon Wa Yesu,” was found reading a Bible on the same land where the rescue operation took place.
Although authorities found seven bodies in a single grave on the same day, the suspected mastermind was not fasting at the time of the rescue. He revealed that he was waiting until June to start his fast along with some other men from the Good News International Church. The discovery of the seven bodies brings the total number of exhumed bodies to 50 since the operation began.
Several government officials, including Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed, and DPP Noordin Haji, visited the site of the rescue operation. President William Ruto also spoke about the matter for the first time on the same day.
The cult was reportedly led by Paul Mackenzie, who is currently in police custody. The cult had been operating in the area for several years and had been involved in various illegal activities, including human trafficking, forced labor, and child abuse. Mackenzie allegedly used his position as a religious leader to manipulate his followers and subject them to extreme physical and mental abuse.
