A Kenyan court has found preacher Paul Mackenzie and 28 others guilty of murdering 191 individuals, including 190 children, who were part of his cult, which compelled members to fast to death.
Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache issued the ruling on Monday in Mombasa, the hub of the alleged cult. The trial involves followers of the Good News International Church, who were persuaded by Mackenzie to fast in preparation for the Second Coming.
This case is one of the most shocking in recent Kenyan history. The prosecution accused Mackenzie of encouraging mass suicide through starvation. Mackenzie and his codefendants pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.
Children Were the First Victims : Police Report
The judge determined that the defendants were part of a cult that systematically induced members to fast to death through spiritual manipulation.
The prosecution claimed Mackenzie ordered the cessation of food for children, while adults acted as guards to prevent escape. Children were the first to perish, and those who resisted faced violence.
Followers were further convinced that education and healthcare were evil, believing their sole purpose was to prepare for the Second Coming through fasting.
Mackenzie initially blamed the children for not obeying his fasting orders. The judge dismissed his claim that the children were not forced to starve, basing her ruling on presented evidence. The trial, which began in 2023, featured numerous testimonies from former cult members.
Over 400 Bodies Discovered in Shakahola Forest
The story emerged in 2023 when police began investigating reports of deaths in Shakahola Forest near Malindi, southeastern Kenya.
More than 400 bodies were uncovered in shallow graves throughout the forest. An inquiry into the cult’s practices and the living conditions of its followers was launched.
On Monday, the court sentenced 191 individuals, including 190 children, to death. However, investigations into additional murders in Shakahola Forest are ongoing. It was confirmed that children were the first to die, but adults were also killed.
Authorities are questioning how such a high number of deaths could occur without intervention.
Why Did Authorities Fail to Protect the Vulnerable?
Mackenzie had previously been investigated for allowing children to live in his church without education. Police discovered children in his home during a search in 2017, but the church wasn’t closed until 2019. Further investigations revealed that Mackenzie had relocated to Shakahola Forest.
Kenyan President William Ruto criticized the government for failing to protect citizens from murder, while the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights condemned the inadequate investigations into the case.
Defendants’ lawyers have called for an end to religious oppression in Kenya, and many in the public are demanding stricter church regulations.
Sentencing of Mackenzie Scheduled for November
The sentencing hearing for Mackenzie is set for November 6, 2026, and is anticipated to bring relief to many. Defense lawyer Lawrence Obonyo requested the judge to impose a sentence on his clients, who have been convicted and are appealing the decision.
Mackenzie faces charges related to the deaths of 191 individuals, including many children. Additionally, he is accused of 52 other murders, with victims’ bodies found in Kwa Binzaro. He has denied all allegations against him.