19 new bodies recovered in Kenya doomsday cult, pushing death toll past 300

The death toll in an investigation linked to a Kenyan cult that practiced starvation to "meet Jesus Christ" has surpassed 300 after 19 new bodies were found Tuesday, a senior official said. Police believe most of the bodies found in a forest near the Indian Ocean town of Malindi belong to followers of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a taxi driver-turned-preacher who has been in police custody since April 14.

He is due to face charges of "terrorism" in the case which has rocked the East African nation.

"The death toll has now risen to 303 after the 19 bodies were exhumed," regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said.