Paul McKenzie, a self-proclaimed pastor, and 28 accomplices were convicted on Monday in a court in Mombasa, Kenya, for the murder of 190 children and one adult. These crimes were part of a Christian cult named 'Good News Church' that McKenzie founded in 2003.
Details of the Crimes
McKenzie was accused of convincing his followers to starve themselves to 'meet Jesus.' He was arrested in April 2023 after a human rights group alerted authorities. During a police operation, hundreds of mass graves were discovered in a forest near the Malindi resort area, which the media dubbed the 'Shakahola Forest Massacre.'
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Sentences and Reactions
Judge Diana Kawudza Muchache stated after an eight-hour hearing: 'I am satisfied that the prosecution has been able to prove the case against all 29 defendants for the murder of 190 children and one adult.' The prosecution had stated that McKenzie initiated a 'call' for severe starvation on his 800-acre farm in Shakahola Forest, claiming there was a 'structural hierarchy of death' whereby children should be the first to lose their lives.
Forensic reports indicated that most children died from starvation, but some also died from 'asphyxia, neck compression, and head injuries.' In some cases, children were deprived of food while their parents watched.
Victim Count and Community Reaction
Following the initial discovery of the graves, many more bodies, including those of other children and adults, were found, bringing the total number of victims to over 400. This increase in victim count led to temporary halts in excavations, as local morgues did not have enough space.
Francis Wanje, a survivor who lost eight family members in this incident, said: 'This is a very important day. We expect a ruling that serves as a lesson for everyone so that such events do not happen again.' He also expressed anger at the government's lack of initial action.
McKenzie had previously been arrested in 2017 on charges of 'radicalism' but was acquitted, and again in 2019 due to the deaths of two children in Shakahola but was released. His final sentence is set to be issued on November 6.
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