Kenyan Court Convicts Paul Mackenzie of Mass Murder
A court in Kenya convicted Paul Nthenge Mackenzie of mass murder. Dozens of his associates were also found guilty.
The BBC said all but one of 191 murder charges involved children. The court said 190 victims were children and one was an adult.
Deutsche Welle described the verdict as concerning 191 starvation deaths. Mackenzie denied forcing victims to starve but the court rejected his claim.
The BBC reported he told parents to starve their children. Deutsche Welle reported an accusation against him.
He was accused of telling followers to starve themselves to death. The New York Times reported he told followers to fast for salvation.
Mackenzie led a Christian doomsday cult that said the end was near. Reports say he and others also face more cases.
These involve terrorism, radicalization and denying children an education. Police arrested Mackenzie in 2023 after a tip.
Authorities later found bodies in shallow graves in Kenya's Shakahola Forest. Hundreds were dug up before Mackenzie's trial.
Key Terms 3
- Shakahola Forest A forest in Kenya where many bodies were buried.
- Radicalization The process of adopting extreme beliefs, sometimes leading to violence.
- Deutsche Welle A German international news broadcaster.