20.10.2026 00:01
A verdict has been reached in the Shakahola Forest investigation in Kenya, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. The court in Mombasa found "starvation cult" leader Paul Mackenzie and 29 co-defendants guilty of the deaths of 190 children and 1 adult. The prosecution had alleged that Mackenzie encouraged his followers to starve and that the deaths were planned in an order starting with children first. Sentencing is expected to be announced on November 6.
In the case concerning the deaths of 190 children and 1 adult in Kenya, the leader of the "starvation cult," Paul Mackenzie, and 29 co-defendants were found guilty.
According to reports in local media, the verdict regarding Mackenzie and the 29 co-defendants was announced in the case heard at the court in Mombasa.
The judge announcing the verdict stated that the charges concerning the killing of 190 children and 1 adult were proven against all 30 defendants.
At the verdict hearing, which was also followed by relatives of the victims, 62-year-old Francis Wanje, who lost eight family members in Shakahola, including his daughter and two grandchildren, was also present.
Mackenzie remained unresponsive during the verdict hearing. The court is expected to announce the sentences of Mackenzie and the other defendants on November 6.
ACCORDING TO THE PROSECUTION, THE DEATHS WERE PLANNED IN STAGES
The prosecution noted that Mackenzie encouraged extreme starvation on his approximately 325-hectare property in Shakahola Forest and managed this process.
The indictment stated that a hierarchical order was established that foresaw the deaths first of children, then young people, women, and finally men.
Based on autopsy reports and police records, the prosecution announced that most of the children died of starvation, while in some children findings of death due to drowning, pressure applied to the neck, and head trauma were identified.
429 BODIES WERE RECOVERED FROM THE FOREST
In April 2023 in Kenya, an investigation had been launched into Paul Mackenzie, pastor of the Good News International Church, on allegations that he urged his followers that they would reach Jesus by starving themselves and caused the deaths of many people.
In operations carried out in Shakahola Forest, where the church was located, 429 bodies were recovered, and about 100 people were rescued from the cult.
It was stated that the files concerning the deceased were separated into 238 adults and 191 children.
Mackenzie had also been faced with new charges linked to the deaths of 52 people in the Kilifi region, in addition to charges of murder, manslaughter, torture, and terrorism concerning the deaths in Shakahola Forest.
It was alleged that there was evidence that the deaths in question occurred in line with instructions given by Mackenzie while he was in prison.