Children strangled, beaten to death and suffocated, the majority of the 440 victims probably starved to death – this is the incredible outcome of a case that has shocked the whole of Kenya. The head of a fasting cult is due to appear in court.
Self-proclaimed preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 94 other defendants appeared in the responsible court in the port city of Mombasa on Monday. Shortly after the trial began, the public was barred from the hearing because a witness was to testify under police protection. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
Torture and abuse of children
Mackenzie is also charged with murder and manslaughter, as well as torture and child abuse in other cases.
Hundreds of bodies discovered in forest
The cult guru was arrested in April 2023 after hundreds of bodies were discovered in the Shakahola forest. Autopsies revealed that most of the 440-plus victims had died of starvation.
Others, including children, appear to have been strangled, beaten to death or suffocated. The case became known as the ‘Shakahola Forest Massacre’ and prompted the government to announce tougher sectarian laws.
There are over 4,000 registered churches in Kenya, and there are also self-proclaimed priests and so-called religious communities founded by criminals. Mackenzie’s International Priesthoods of Good News is intended to be such an association.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
