Connect with us

Culture

Kenyan govt to convert ‘evil cult’ forest into a memorial site

Published

on

The Kenyan government says it plans to convert the Shakahola Forest, where bodies of over 250 members of a Christian cult led by Pastor Paul Mackenzie were exhumed, into a national memorial.

The eastern African country was thrown into a frenzy in April when some followers of the pastor reportedly died after he instructed them to starve to death so they could meet with Jesus.

Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, who disclosed the intentions of the government at a press conference on Tuesday, said once the recovery of the bodies buried in the 800-acre forest was complete, the forest would be “turned into a place of remembrance so that people won’t forget what happened there.”

The minister added that the government had enough evidence to prosecute the leader of the cult and the main suspect, Pastor Mackenzie, on charges of genocide after he allegedly convinced his followers to fast to death in order to go to heaven.

“Most of the victims, including children, died of starvation but some were strangled, beaten, or suffocated,” Kindiki said, quoting autopsy reports.

Kindiki said investigations had shown that the cult’s activities extended beyond the Shakahola Forest, adding that investigations had extended to the larger 37,000-acre Chakama ranch in the area.

“Security roads are being constructed to provide access to the expansive area as search and rescue operations and investigations continues,” he said.

Culture

Ghanaian stages one-man protest in support of LGBTQ+ rights

Published

on

A Ghanaian activist, Texas Kadri Moro, has embarked on a one-man protest across Accra, the country’s capital, in support of gay rights and the LGBTQ community.

Moro, who is the Executive Director of Arise for Justice International, carried out his protests with placards nailed on a cross on the streets of Accra, on Thursday, and rounded up on Saturday.

The activist who spoke with journalists at the end of the march, said he is heterosexual, married to a woman and a father of six. He stated that he is a teacher and a practising Muslim.

“Justice begins where inequality ends or judging others on their sins is simply an act of arrogance and pride,” he said, echoing some of the messages on his large placard.

“To say that they are sinners and they should go to prison when you yourself, you are also a sinner? Is it because they are a minority?”

Speaking on Ghana’s anti-gay bill which was passed by parliament early this year, Moro said:

“There are so many issues about rights when it comes to the bill. Homosexuality does not affect anyone. We have activities that people are doing in the country that are worse than homosexual activities, like adultery. The parliament, he said, should be more concerned with other crimes and pollution.”

Moro said since he began his protests, he has lost his job, has not received any assistance from the LGBTQ+ community, and has become a target of very hostile attacks from the Muslim community. But he declares that he is not deterred neither will he back down.

Moro also marched in Accra in April and in Cape Coast in July, wearing pink which he says is a symbol of love.

Continue Reading

Culture

Tyla picks another award at the MTV VMAs

Published

on

South African Ampiano singer and songwriter, Tyla, has picked another accolade after winning Best Afrobeats award for her hit single “Water” at the MTV Video Music Awards held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 11.

Tyla won in a category that had Nigerian superstars Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Tems and Lojay, also nominated, taking her award collections since bursting into the music scene both internationally and locally to include a Grammy, Billboard, BET, Metro FM Music, Basadi in Music awards.

With the new award, Tyla has become the first South African artist to win a VMA.

In her acceptance speech, Tyla reflected on her win, calling it “special, but also bittersweet”.

“This is such a big moment for Africa and African music.

“This is just so special, but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats.

“It’s a thing, and even though Afrobeats has run things and has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse, it is more than just Afrobeats.

“I come from South Africa. I represent Ampiano. I represent my culture, and I just want to shout out to all the Afrobeats artists in this category with me.”

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Metro14 hours ago

Uganda files lawsuit to remove property owners obstructing a regional pipeline

  Due to low-value payments, absentee landlords, and a complicated land ownership system in some areas of the country, Uganda’s...

Culture16 hours ago

Ghanaian stages one-man protest in support of LGBTQ+ rights

A Ghanaian activist, Texas Kadri Moro, has embarked on a one-man protest across Accra, the country’s capital, in support of...

Tech16 hours ago

Kenya’s Absa Bank launches ‘Change Your Story’ campaign to encourage digital banking

Absa Bank Kenya has launched a new promo known as “Change Your Story” campaign aimed at encouraging customers to use...

Sports16 hours ago

Tears as slain Ugandan Olympian is laid to rest with full military honours

There were uncontrollable tears and wailing as thousands of mourners turned out in eastern Uganda for the funeral of Olympic...

VenturesNow19 hours ago

Nigeria’s central bank issues deadline to PoS operators for use of aggregators

All point-of-sale operators are required by the Central Bank of Nigeria to route transactions through authorised payment terminal service aggregators....

Metro24 hours ago

Over 23,000 refugees seek asylum in Nigeria in 2024– UN Report

A report released on Friday by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has revealed that at least 23,465 foreign...

Culture2 days ago

Tyla picks another award at the MTV VMAs

South African Ampiano singer and songwriter, Tyla, has picked another accolade after winning Best Afrobeats award for her hit single...

Musings From Abroad2 days ago

US backs 2 permanent seats for Africa in Security Council

United States Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is set to announce the position that the US favours giving two...

Metro2 days ago

Media under siege: How political agendas threaten truthful reporting in Zambia

The fundamental principles of ethical journalism—objectivity, precision, accuracy, conscience, fairness, impartiality, humanity, transparency and serving the public interest—are crucial for...

VenturesNow2 days ago

Uganda begins operations at Kisumu port with fuel imports

Kenya’s efforts to revitalise the Kisumu port’s multimodal transport system to serve East and Central Africa are paying off, as...

Trending