A Kenyan court is due to rule on murder charges against preacher Paul Mackenzie and 29 followers over the deaths of 191 children in a cult linked to starvation in Shakahola forest.
01Summary
- 01Paul Mackenzie and 29 followers are charged with murdering 191 children and have all pleaded not guilty.
- 02Prosecutors say the cult ordered children to starve so they could "meet Jesus" and banned education and modern medicine.
- 03Authorities said more than 400 bodies were found in shallow graves in Shakahola forest near the Kenyan coast.
- 04Mackenzie founded Good News International Ministries in 2003, and it grew over 16 years to attract thousands of followers.
- 05The case is the first time Mackenzie will face a verdict on the murder charges, though he faces other cases including terrorism and radicalisation.
02Why it matters
The ruling could be a major step in one of Kenya's most disturbing mass death cases. It also affects many families still waiting for answers about unidentified victims and missing children.
Pulse AIAsk about this story
Answers are generated by AI from the story summary; they are not investment, health or legal advice.
