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Kenyan starvation cult leader found guilty of murder of 191 children, one adult
The court said children were isolated and denied food as investigators continue probing other deaths linked to the cult.
- On Monday, the Mombasa High Court found cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 29 associates guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult in the Shakahola Forest, marking one of the world's worst cult-related disasters.
- Mackenzie ordered followers of his Good News International Church to starve themselves and their children to "meet Jesus" before the world ended. Mass graves emerged in Shakahola more than three years ago.
- Branding schools and hospitals as "Satanic," Mackenzie forbade cult members from using them. Francis Wanje, 62, lost eight family members including two grandchildren, while prosecutors say Mackenzie directed 52 additional deaths in Kwa Binzaro village from detention.
- Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache delivered the verdict after a hearing lasting more than eight hours. Monday's judgment covered 191 deaths, though investigations continue into the more than 400 bodies recovered from Shakahola.
- The tragedy prompted calls for tougher oversight of religious organizations in Kenya. Kenyan President William Ruto previously stated government agencies should have prevented the deaths, accepting responsibility for the failure to intervene earlier.
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63 Articles
63 Articles
Paul Nthenge Mackenzie is scheduled to be sentenced on November 6.
·Hungary
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The tangle began to unravel in April 2023, when human remains were discovered in the Shakahola forest in the eastern part of the country. Eventually, the bodies of over 400 people were found in the forest.
·Helsinki, Finland
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High Court finds controversial preacher, 28 co-defendants guilty in Shakahola starvation cult case, rejects claims victims voluntarily fasted to death
·Ankara, Türkiye
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Paul Mackenzie is accused of having encouraged his disciples to starve to "meet Jesus" before the end of the world. In total, more than 400 bodies were dug up near the beaches of Malindi.
·Paris, France
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Total News Sources63
Leaning Left12Leaning Right9Center22Last UpdatedBias Distribution51% Center
Bias Distribution
- 51% of the sources are Center
51% Center
L 28%
C 51%
R 21%
Factuality
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