Police on Thursday, April, 13, retrieved four bodies and rescued 11 people from a controversial fasting event at Shakahola village, Magarini constituency in Kilifi County.
The detectives raided the village after a tip-off and found members of a religious sect group conducting prayers in what was perceived to be a cult.
The four bodies were taken to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital mortuary, while other victims were treated at the same medical facility.
"We have launched an investigation to get to the bottom of this matter, and we are also following all possible leads to arrest the rogue pastor," stated a police officer pursuing the matter.
The deceased followers of a pastor at a local church were said to have died after going for several days without food and water. Nonetheless, the causes of death were yet to be ascertained, with postmortems yet to be conducted.
Police were alerted by concerned residents who alleged that innocent citizens were starving to death under the pretext of meeting a religious being.
Human rights activists demanded the immediate arrest of the man of God behind the bizarre rituals.
"We cannot just sit and watch as innocent Kenyans suffer in the hands of a religious leader who claims to be a man of God. We demand for his immediate arrest," stated Mathias Shipeta, a Human Rights activist.
''National and Kilifi County governments should take immediate measures against the suspect to save the people because the right to life must be protected,'' another local pastor added.
A resident of Shakahola village further told police that members of the controversial church, including children, were subjected to strict rules and practices that compromised their health.
The incident was reported at Langobaya Police Station under OB NO 07/14/4/2023.
