Nineteen more bodies have been unearthed in mass graves linked to a Kenyan cult, pushing the death toll beyond 300. Authorities continue to investigate the group, led by pastor Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly instructed followers to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus. The grim discovery was made in the 800-acre forested area in Kilifi County, where Mackenzie and his followers resided. With additional grave sites slated for exhumation, officials anticipate the death toll to climb further, as over 600 individuals associated with the area remain missing.

Exhumed bodies of cult victims are loaded onto a truck in Shakahola, Kenya. (AP Photo)

Ninety-five individuals were rescued from the property, and 65 of them were subsequently charged with attempted suicide after engaging in a hunger strike to protest their shelter placement. They have since been transferred to jail. Mackenzie's initial arrest occurred on April 14th following reports of numerous starvation deaths. Investigators discovered malnourished followers who had apparently been instructed by Mackenzie that starvation was a path to encountering Jesus. Mackenzie had faced previous investigations and arrests in 2019 and March related to child deaths, but was released on bond both times.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie, suspected of leading the deadly cult. (AP Photo)

Kenya is a predominantly Christian nation, with roughly 85.5% identifying as Christian and 11% as Muslim. Mackenzie is scheduled for a court appearance this week, and police have been granted additional time to detain him while the investigation progresses. Kenyan President William Ruto has compared Mackenzie to a terrorist, and Interior Minister Kindiki Kithure has indicated the possibility of terrorism or genocide-related charges.

An abandoned house in the forest where bodies were exhumed. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

Recovery of bodies in Shakahola, Kenya. (AP)