Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto has described the alleged crimes of Nthenge and his associates as “akin to terrorism.” Kithure has suggested that Nthenge might be charged with terrorism or genocide-related offenses.
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While Nthenge’s starvation cult represents an extreme case, authorities and government leaders in Kenya, a largely Christian country, are gravely concerned about the frequency with which cult-like leaders garner a following to spread harmful or criminal teachings.