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Who is the Kenyan religious leader Paul Mackenzie facing murder charges?
Kenyan Christian cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 29 other suspects have been charged with the murder of 191 children.
Suspected Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie - Credit: CNN
Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a Kenyan Christian leader, stands accused of murder in the deaths of 191 children, among the 429 victims of his starvation cult in the Shakahola forest.
He and 29 other suspects pleaded not guilty in a court in Malindi on Tuesday, 6th of February.
Mackenzie, founder of the Good News International Church, which was shut down by authorities in 2019, allegedly relocated to the forest with some followers, preaching that they must fast to “go see Jesus.” Reports indicate he prevented them from leaving, subjecting them to torture, rape, and violence.
The cult’s activities were exposed in April 2023 when police raided the forest, uncovering hundreds of bodies buried in shallow graves. Autopsies revealed most victims died of hunger, while some may have been strangled, suffocated, or beaten.
Mackenzie faces charges of murder, acts of terror, child cruelty, and torture, which he denies. If convicted, he faces the death penalty. The case has shocked the nation, prompting questions about regulation and oversight of religious groups.
In the preceding month, a court threatened to release Mackenzie unless charges were promptly filed by the state prosecutor. Prosecutors cited challenges in identifying victims due to extensive decomposition, delaying the process.
The case involving Mackenzie highlights the importance of transparency, integrity, and ethical conduct within religious institutions.
