190 children were starved to death by the cult! Kenyan leader sentenced to 200 years, 448 bodies dug up in forest

Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Church in Kenya. (AP file photo)

He claimed that if he went on a hunger strike, he would go to heaven and see Jesus, but 190 children died! Paul Mackenzie, the leader of Kenya's Good News International Church, was convicted of 191 counts of murder and was sentenced to 200 years in prison by the court on the 6th. 28 accomplices were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years. As a result of this cult mass starvation incident, 448 bodies have been recovered so far in the Shakahera Forest.

"Reuters" reported that a Kenyan court ruled on October 19 this year that Makensi and 28 co-defendants were found guilty of 191 counts of murder involving the deaths of 190 children and one adult. When the judge pronounced the sentence on the 6th, he divided Mackensi's sentence into two parts. He was sentenced to 100 years for starving the victim to death, and another 100 years for directly killing the victim, for a total of 200 years in prison. The 28 accomplices were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years depending on the degree of involvement.

Prosecutors pointed out that Mackensi founded the "Good News International Church" and has long promoted doomsday doctrines, requiring believers to take their children on a hunger strike, claiming that in this way they can enter heaven before the end of the world. Some accomplices monitor believers, threatening, beating or even locking up those who try to escape or eat. The judge noted that some children were isolated and deprived of food, leaving parents to watch their children starve to death.

Makensi denied forcing believers to go on hunger strike, arguing that the victims fasted voluntarily, but the court did not accept this argument. Forensic investigations and court evidence showed that of the 191 deceased persons involved in this verdict, 183 died of starvation and 8 others were directly killed.

There are hundreds more bodies and the investigation is still open.

The case came to light in 2023. After receiving the report, the police launched an investigation in the Shakahera Forest on the southeastern coast of Kenya. They successively dug out a large number of shallow graves and found 448 bodies in the forest and surrounding areas. Identification has been difficult because many of the remains were badly decomposed. This judgment only covers 191 deceased persons, and the causes of death and related responsibilities involved in the remaining remains are still under investigation.

Mackensi faces additional terrorism and other charges. Prosecutors also accused him of instructing followers to kill 52 people in the nearby village of Kwa Binzaro while in custody; Makensi denied the charges related to this case.

On April 24, 2023, the Kenyan authorities discovered multiple bodies near a forest. They were suspected to be followers of the leader Makensi. The bodies were covered with body bags and awaited follow-up processing. (AP file photo)