The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult is sentenced to 200 years in prison
Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie has been sentenced to 200 years in prison for the murder of 191 people. The victims were followers who were ordered to starve themselves to death to meet Jesus at a remote ranch.
Why it matters
This case represents one of the most significant mass-casualty events involving religious extremism in recent history, highlighting issues of cult control and state oversight.
MOMBASA, Kenya — The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult linked to the deaths of more than 400 people was sentenced on Friday to 200 years in prison for the murders of 191 people.
The High Court in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa issued the sentence for Pastor Paul Mackenzie. He was convicted of murdering 190 children and one adult after he ordered his followers to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus.
Mackenzie is also facing terrorism and manslaughter charges for the more than 200 other victims, as well as child abuse and torture charges in two other courts.
Justice Diana Kavedza said that Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, bore the "primary criminal culpability" for relocating his followers to a remote location and ordering them to fast to death.
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