Kenyan Cult Leader Paul Mackenzie, 29 Others Charged With Murder Of 191 Children

Nairobi, Kenyan– Kenya cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 29 of his associates have been charged with the murder of 191 children buried in a forest.

In a court session held in Malindi, the defendant refuted the accusations levelled against them, one of the defendants was declared unfit to stand trial due to mental incapacity.

Prosecutors allege Mackenzie instructed followers to starve themselves and their children to attain heaven before the world’s end, marking one of the worst cult-related tragedies in recent history.

Members of Mackenzie’s Good News International Church resided in secluded settlements spanning 800 acres within Shakahola forest, where over 400 bodies were unearthed.

Mackenzie was arrested April last year and has already been charged with terrorism-related crimes, manslaughter and torture. He was also convicted in December of producing and distributing films without a licence and sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Mackenzie, a former taxi driver, prohibited members of the cult from allowing their children to attend school or seeking medical treatment at hospitals when they fell ill, denouncing these establishments as Satanic, according to some of his followers.

The lawyer representing Mackenzie has stated that Mackenzie is actively participating in the investigation regarding the fatalities.

Meanwhile, the judge mentioned that the 30 defendants are scheduled to return to court on March 7 for a bond hearing.