Kenya cult leader, who incited followers to starve to death to ‘meet Jesus’, charged with 191 counts of murder

By TopTrendReportTv

February 6, 2024

A Kenyan court has formally accused Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a cult leader, along with 29 others, of the murder of nearly 200 individuals. The bodies were uncovered from Shakahola forest near the Indian Ocean, marking one of the nation's most tragic massacres.

Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who claims to be a pastor, is already facing charges related to terrorism, manslaughter, child torture, and cruelty. He allegedly encouraged his followers to starve to death in an attempt to "meet Jesus." According to court documents obtained by AFP, Mackenzie and the other suspects pleaded not guilty to 191 counts of murder.

One of the 31 suspects was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial and is scheduled to appear before the Malindi High Court again in a month. Mackenzie, however, maintains his plea of not guilty to all charges.

The arrest of Mackenzie last April came after the shocking discovery of bodies in the Shakahola forest, sparking global outrage. Autopsies revealed that most of the 429 victims died from starvation, although some, including children, showed signs of strangulation, beating, or suffocation.