Tragedy: More than 300 people died in Kenya's 'starvation' cult

Kenyan authorities have discovered more bodies in the forest, people who are believed to have starved themselves to death to "go to heaven before the end of the world". Reuters reported that 19 bodies were just exhumed from a mass grave in Shakahola Forest in southeastern Kenya on June 13, bringing the total number of people killed so far to 303.

More than 600 others were reported missing, official Rhoda Onyancha said.

Investigators at the mass grave excavation site in Shakahola Forest on May 9.

Last week, investigators expanded the search area in the hope of finding more people hiding in the woods. About 65 members of the sect were rescued but were charged with attempted suicide on June 12 after going on a hunger strike from June 6 to 10 while at the rescue center.

Kenyan Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki has expressed concern that the sect's followers refused to eat and one of them died after being rescued.

The leader of the cult, Paul Mackenzie, was arrested earlier on suspicion of killing two babies by starvation and strangulation but was later released. Relatives of followers said Mackenzie had returned to the forest and changed his prophecy that the world would end on April 15, instead of August.

He surrendered in April after police discovered the first bodies. In May, authorities rejected Mr. Mackenzie's request for bail.

Kenyan investigators said autopsies conducted after the mass grave was excavated showed the victims were missing some of their internal organs, suggesting possible involvement in organ trafficking.

In late April, Kenyan authorities arrested Ezekiel Odero, the leader of another cult suspected of having links to Mr. Mackenzie, but later released him on bail.

Mr Odero is being investigated for murder, assisted suicide, kidnapping, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child abuse, fraud and money laundering.

A total of 35 people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement and 95 people have been rescued since police began searching, AFP reported.

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