In Kenya, the death toll from the starvation cult Good News International Church has risen to 201, many of them children. 

Nairobi, May 15 (RHC)-- In Kenya, the death toll from the starvation cult Good News International Church has risen to 201, many of them children.   A commission is investigating whether oversight by administrative or intelligence authorities played any role.

Throughout the past week, authorities in Kenya have been digging up shallow graves scattered through the forest looking for remains and scouring the area for any survivors as hundreds of people are still reported missing.

Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, was accused of ordering his followers to starve their children and themselves to death so they could go to heaven before the end of the world, which he predicted to be on April 15th.  The taxi driver-turned-preacher was denied bail by a Kenyan court.

Kenyan President William Ruto appointed a commission of inquiry into the deaths, while a court ordered that the cult leader remain in prison.   Presidential spokesman Hussein Mohamed said Ruto had also appointed a task force to review regulations governing religious organizations.