Archive · 31 Jul 2025
Kenyan Court Orders Exhumations in Connection to Cult Deaths
In Kenya, a court has ordered authorities to dig up bodies because they think they were killed by a religious group.
The leader of this group, Paul Mackenzie, told people to starve themselves, and hundreds of people died.
The leader wanted his followers to die so they could go to heaven.
He's accused of murder, but he says he didn't do anything wrong.
Now, officials are trying to figure out exactly what happened.
Kenyan court orders exhumation of bodies suspected to be victims of a religious cult.
The exhumations are linked to a cult led by pastor Paul Mackenzie, where at least 400 deaths occurred.
Mackenzie allegedly instructed followers to starve themselves to meet Jesus in heaven.
Authorities previously discovered hundreds of bodies in shallow graves at the cult's compound.
Mackenzie denies accusations of murder and terrorism.
- Who
- Kenyan court, authorities, and the pastor Paul Mackenzie.
- What
- A Kenyan court ordered the exhumation of bodies linked to a religious cult.
- When
- The court order was recently issued.
- Where
- Kilifi County, Kenya, where the cult's headquarters was located.
- Why
- To investigate deaths suspected to be caused by starvation, and potential asphyxiation linked to the cult.
Accusations
Denials
Starvation Orders
Accusations
Mackenzie is accused of ordering followers to starve.
Denials
Mackenzie denies telling anyone not to eat.
Accusations
Accusations
Mackenzie faces charges of murder and terrorism.
Denials
Mackenzie denies the accusations.
- Location
- Kilifi County, Kenya
- Leader
- Paul Mackenzie
- Accusations
- Murder and terrorism
- Victims
- At least 400
- Cause of Death (suspected)
- Starvation and asphyxiation
- Action
- Exhumation, investigation
