Leader of Kenyan doomsday cult convicted of 191 murders
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 21:07 · Archive
Pastor Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church in Kenya, was convicted Monday of murdering 190 children and one adult.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, was convicted Monday of 191 murders after a trial that began in 2023. Justice Diana Kavedza ruled that Mackenzie oversaw an organized system using religious teachings to compel followers to fast until they died. The court found he targeted children first, deployed guards to prevent escape and beat those who attempted to eat or leave.
The conviction relates to a cult linked to more than 400 deaths. In 2023, more than 400 bodies were exhumed from shallow graves on the 800-acre Chakama Ranch in coastal Kilifi County, where Mackenzie's followers lived in mud huts away from public scrutiny. Mackenzie also instructed followers to shun education and health care. Justice Kavedza said in her ruling that 'medical treatment was presented as an instrument of Satan.'
Mackenzie was arrested alongside his wife and dozens of followers. Some followers later became prosecution witnesses. He has denied all charges, saying he did not force followers to fast. A mitigation hearing is scheduled for 30 October, with sentencing on 6 November.
How it is being reported
- Leader of Kenyan doomsday cult that left more than 400 followers dead convicted of 191 murdersA Kenyan doomsday cult leader has been convicted of murdering 190 children and one adult.Clickorlando · 19 Oct, 17:21
- Leader of Kenyan doomsday cult that left more than 400 followers dead convicted of 191 murdersA Kenyan doomsday cult leader has been convicted of murdering 190 children and one adult.News4Jax · 19 Oct, 17:21
In this story: Pastor Paul Mackenzie · Good News International Church · Justice Diana Kavedza · Chakama Ranch · Kilifi County · Kenya
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