World · Africa · 44 mins ago
Kenyan cult leader faces sentencing for deaths of 191 people
A Kenyan court is sentencing cult leader Paul Mackenzie for the deaths of 191 people, all but one of them children.
Mackenzie and 27 co-defendants were convicted of murder after he directed followers to fast so they could “meet Jesus.”
The deaths happened at the cult’s base in Shakahola forest, near Kenya’s coast, where more than 400 bodies have been found since 2023.
Most victims died from starvation, though some died from injuries or suffocation, and many bodies could not be identified.
The case has raised questions about how authorities allowed the group’s activities to continue, despite earlier arrests and warnings.
Prosecutors asked for the death penalty for Mackenzie and life sentences for his co-defendants; Kenya has not carried out an execution since 1987.
Mackenzie and other leaders still face separate cases, including charges related to terrorism and manslaughter.
Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie is being sentenced after being convicted of murdering 191 people, including 190 children.
Stephen Mwiti, whose six children died in the Shakahola forest, says the sentence cannot restore his family.
Prosecutors have asked the court to impose the death penalty on Mackenzie and life sentences on his co-accused.
Mackenzie and his co-accused have asked the court for mercy, while Mackenzie has denied forcing followers to fast.
More than 400 bodies have been recovered from the forest, and Mackenzie faces other separate cases.
- Who
- Paul Mackenzie, a Kenyan cult leader, and his co-accused. Stephen Mwiti is a father whose six children died.
- What
- Mackenzie was convicted of murdering 191 people and is being sentenced. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty.
- When
- The sentencing is scheduled for Friday, 6 November 2026. Mackenzie was convicted on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- A court in Mombasa, Kenya. The deaths occurred in Shakahola forest near Kenya’s coast.
- Why
- Prosecutors say Mackenzie instructed followers to starve themselves and their children to meet Jesus. The court found the deaths arose from an organised system of religious teachings and directives.
Prosecutors
Mackenzie and his co-accused
Punishment
Prosecutors
Prosecutors seek the death penalty for Mackenzie and life sentences for his co-accused.
Mackenzie and his co-accused
Mackenzie and his co-accused have asked the court for mercy and leniency.
Responsibility
Prosecutors
Prosecutors say Mackenzie instructed followers to starve themselves and their children.
Mackenzie and his co-accused
Mackenzie said he did not force anyone to starve; defendants had pleaded not guilty before their conviction.
Mackenzie established Good News International Ministries.
The church shut down, and Mackenzie moved to Shakahola forest.
Mackenzie was arrested after a rights group alerted authorities and some followers were rescued.
Mackenzie and his co-accused were convicted of murder.
The court is sentencing Mackenzie, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
- Convicted victims
- 191 people, including 190 children and one adult
- Father’s loss
- Stephen Mwiti says all six of his children died in Shakahola forest.
- Bodies recovered
- More than 400
- Identified remains
- 26 of the more than 400 bodies, according to officials cited by the Straits Times
- Prosecution request
- Death penalty for Mackenzie; life imprisonment for co-accused
6 sources
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What people are saying
Even if he were to be hanged, I will never see my children again.
Assuming the adults he had converted agreed to fast without being forced, what about the children?
The prosecution supports the imposition of capital punishment for Mackenzie, subject to consideration of his mitigation, remorse, regret and prospects of rehabilitation.