A Kenyan court has sentenced doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for the deaths of 190 children and one adult, delivering a major ruling in one of the country’s most disturbing criminal cases.
Prosecutors told the court that Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, directed his followers to starve themselves and their children to death. He reportedly convinced them that refusing food would help them reach heaven, turning his religious teachings into a deadly practice.
The court also sentenced 28 accomplices to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the killings. The ruling marks a significant step towards accountability for the victims of the Shakahola Forest tragedy, which shocked Kenya in 2023.
More than 400 bodies have been recovered from the forest, revealing the devastating scale of the tragedy and raising serious concerns about religious extremism and the exploitation of vulnerable followers.
The case sparked widespread outrage across Kenya and renewed calls for stronger oversight of religious organisations. Mackenzie’s defence team plans to appeal the ruling, meaning the legal battle may continue.
The verdict brings a major development in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families, while the tragedy remains a painful reminder of the dangers of extremist cult practices.
