At least 20 bodies have been exhumed in connection to an investigation into a cult in Kenya. The development following the arrest of the cult leader pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge. Said to be followers of the cult, the victims reportedly starved themselves to death to “meet Jesus”. “In total since yesterday, we have 21 bodies,” a police source told AFP.

The bodies were found in the Shakahola forest outside the coastal town of Malindi. “We have not even scratched the surface which gives a clear indication that we are likely to get more bodies by the end of this exercise,” the source added. 

Nthenge, leader of the Good News International Church, turned himself in to the police last month, the Guardian reported. He was charged with the death of two children, who starved to death while in the custody of their parents. 

The police on April 15 discovered the bodies of four followers, who had starved themselves. Eleven other followers of the church were rescued on April 14-- they were taken to the hospital; three of them were in critical condition. Police raided the forest after they received information on the deaths of people “starving to death” after being brainwashed by Nthenge.