A court in the Kenyan city of Mombasa has found self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and 28 of his associates guilty of murdering 191 people, including 190 children.
Mackenzie was the leader of a cult called the "Good News International Church" and was accused of encouraging his followers to starve themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus." He founded the cult in 2003.
The horrific case came to light in April 2023 after a human rights group alerted the authorities. In the subsequent police operation, some of his emaciated followers were rescued, but further investigation led to the discovery of hundreds of mass graves in a forest known as Shakahola, near the coastal town of Malindi.
Local media dubbed the event the "Shakahola Forest Massacre." The case is considered one of the worst cult-related disasters in recent world history.
Paul Mackenzie and his associates faced multiple charges, including murder, torture, and terrorism. The court issued its guilty verdict on the murder charge on Monday, October 19. Their sentences are expected to be determined in future court sessions.
The tragedy has sparked widespread debate in Kenya about the need for greater oversight of religious groups' activities and preventing the exploitation of people's beliefs. The Kenyan government has pledged to introduce stricter laws for the registration and operation of such groups.
Source: International Media
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