So far, 39 bodies have been found on land owned by a priest in coastal Kenya who was arrested for urging his followers to fast to death. Pastor Paul McKenzie, who was arrested on April 14 because of his connections with the sect. The total death toll stands at 43 because four more people died after he and others were found starving at Good News International Church last week.
The police have asked the court to allow them to detain Mackenzie for a longer period while the investigation into the death of his followers continues. On a tip from members of the public, police searched the property of a priest in Malindi, where they found 15 malnourished people, including four who later died.
The followers said they were fasting on the orders of the priest to meet with Jesus.
Police learned that dozens of shallow graves were scattered around Mackenzie Farm, and excavations began on Friday.
