Kenyan Pastor Charged with Murdering 430 People, Including 191 Children

Kenyan doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 30 of his followers appeared in court in the coastal town of Malindi on Wednesday to face charges related to the murders of 191 children. The accused did not enter pleas during the court appearance, as High Court Judge Mugure Thande granted a request from prosecutors for mental assessments. The case is set to resume on Feb. 6.

The charges stem from the discovery of 430 bodies on an 800-acre ranch in the remote Shakahola Forest in the coastal county of Kilifi. Among the deceased were 191 children, and the remains of 180 of them remain unidentified, according to the prosecution’s charge sheet.

Many of Mackenzie’s followers, who were members of the Good News International Church, are believed to have succumbed to starvation, convinced that by doing so, they would meet Jesus Christ before an impending doomsday. The bodies were found in numerous shallow graves.

The investigation revealed that the police had saved 15 malnourished church members. They disclosed that Mackenzie had instructed them to fast to death in anticipation of the world’s end. Tragically, four of the 15 died after being admitted to a hospital. Autopsies on some of the bodies discovered in the graves indicated causes of death ranging from starvation to strangulation or suffocation.

Kenya’s top prosecutor announced on Monday that 95 people, including Mackenzie, will face charges such as murder, cruelty, child torture, and other crimes.

For months, prosecutors have sought permission to continue holding the defendants during the ongoing investigation. However, last week, Principal Magistrate Yousuf Shikanda denied their request for an additional 60 days, stating that ample time had been provided for the investigation.

Mackenzie is currently serving a separate one-year prison sentence for operating a film studio and producing movies for his preaching without a valid licence. The cult leader allegedly encouraged his followers to relocate to Shakahola Forest in preparation for the end of the world.

A Senate committee report revealed that Mackenzie chose the remote area due to its isolation. Once inside, followers were reportedly prohibited from leaving or interacting with each other. Additionally, they were required to destroy vital documents, creating challenges in identifying the deceased, including national identity cards, birth certificates, property titles, academic certificates, and marriage certificates, as outlined in the report.

Mimi Mefo Info