NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The leader of a Apocalyptic cult in Kenya linked to more than 400 deaths was convicted Monday of murdering 190 children and one adult after ordering his disciples to starve to meet Jesus.
Justice Diana Kavedza ruled that Pastor Paul Mackenziehead of the Church Good News International, oversaw an organized system that used religious teachings to force followers to fast until they died.
In 2023, more than 400 bodies were exhumed from shallow graves on the 800-acre (320-hectare) Chakama Ranch in coastal Kilifi County, where Mackenzie’s supporters lived in mud huts, free from the control of communities and local authorities.
Mackenzie was arrested and charged with murder alongside his wife and dozens of his supporters. Some supporters later became prosecution witnesses in the case. The trial began in 2023.
He denied all accusations, saying he did not force his followers to fast.
A mitigation hearing will take place on October 30, while sentencing is scheduled for November 6.
The court found that the directive to fast unto death was implemented by targeting children first, while guards were deployed to prevent them from escaping, beating those who tried to escape or eat.
Mackenzie also asked his supporters to avoid education and health care. In her ruling on Monday, Judge Kavedza said “medical treatment has been presented as an instrument of Satan.”
For William Ponda Ngala, whose mother, older brother and two nephews have died, Mackenzie’s conviction offers hope that it will serve as a lesson to other religious leaders who may seek to exploit their followers in the future.
“Finally, as a family, we can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Mackenzie and everyone who caused the deaths of my family members have been found guilty,” he told The Associated Press on Monday.
In April last year, the Court of Appeal authorized the prosecutor to bring 191 murder charges against Mackenzie and his co-defendants.
In May 2024, the High Court ordered prosecutors to reduce the murder charges to no more than 12 counts. However, the Court of Appeal ruled that the law does not limit the number of charges that can be brought against a defendant.
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AP African coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
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This article has been corrected to reflect that the charges relate to the murder of 190 children and one adult.
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