Court rules self-proclaimed pastor responsible for mass starvation deaths
A Kenyan court has found self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie guilty of 191 murder charges, with the vast majority of the victims being children. Mackenzie had instructed his followers to starve themselves and their families to "meet Jesus," leading to one of the worst cult-related tragedies in modern history.
The mass casualties were uncovered in the Shakahola forest in southeastern Kenya, where investigators found mass graves containing the bodies of dozens of cult members. The horrific discovery shocked the nation and triggered widespread scrutiny of the government's regulation of religious organizations and unregistered churches.
Legal proceedings against Mackenzie and his co-accused involved numerous charges related to the deaths in the forest compound. The guilty verdict marks a significant conclusion to the high-profile case regarding the deadly fasting movement.