Fathima Azmiya Badurdeen and Annica Baum

Abstract

The study examines the occurrence of mass suicide tied to the destructive cult phenomenon in the Shakahola forest in Malindi, Kenya. The incident of mass suicide is explored by drawing on the evolving nature of cult crimes framed under New Religious Movements (NRM) and destructive cult literature. The article describes the characteristics of cult crimes and looks at the legal implications of the crime in the backdrop of the freedom of religion and belief context in Kenya. Based on a descriptive phenomenological research exercise – comprising content analysis, in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, and observational methods³ – the study explores the following research questions: how do local community members perceive the destructive cult phenomenon in Shakahola forest? How do direct victims perceive their involvement with the destructive cult phenomenon in the Shakahola forest? What perspective do different stakeholders bring to the nature of the destructive cult phenomenon in the Shakahola forest? How do these different perspectives impact the Freedom of Religion or Belief context in Kenya? While diverse opinions reveal the nature of the cult phenomenon, themes support the destructive nature of the cult and its impact on local communities. The study points out the need for the governance of cults with due consideration of the Freedom of Religion or Belief provisions of the Kenyan constitution. The study also highlights the need to take into account the socio-political and human rights discourse along with the theological orientation in understanding the destructive cult phenomenon.

Keywords: cult, destructive cult, Shakahola mass suicide, Freedom of Religion or Belief, human rights