Kenyan starvation cult leader guilty of murder of 190 children and one adult
Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie has been found guilty of the murder of 190 children and one adult following a mass starvation event in the Shakahola forest. Prosecutors successfully argued that Mackenzie's 'Good News International Church' coerced followers into fatal fasting to prepare for the end of the world.
Why it matters
This case represents one of the most significant cult-related mass casualty events in recent history, highlighting issues of religious extremism and law enforcement oversight in Kenya.
Doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie during a court session of his murder trial judgment at the Mombasa law courts, Kenya on Monday. Photograph: EPA Doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie during a court session of his murder trial judgment at the Mombasa law courts, Kenya on Monday. Photograph: EPA Kenya Kenyan starvation cult leader guilty of murder of 190 children and one adult Paul Mackenzie and his church set up sect that ordered followers to starve themselves and their children, say prosecutors
Prefer the Guardian on Google A Kenyan court has found the starvation cult leader Paul Mackenzie and about 30 others guilty of murder over the deaths of 190 children and one adult in one of the world’s worst cult-related disasters in recent history.
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