A Kenyan judge on Wednesday ordered cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 30 associates to undergo mental health evaluations before being charged with the murder of 191 children whose bodies have been exhumed since April 2023 from the Shakahola forest in Kenya.

Authorities say Mackenzie, the head of the Good News International Church, ordered his followers in southeastern Kenya to starve themselves and their children to death so that they could go to heaven before the world ended.

More than 400 bodies were uncovered over the course of months of exhumations across tens of thousands of acres of forest, making this one of the world's worst cult-related tragedies in recent history.

Prosecutors say they will charge 95 people in total on counts of murder, manslaughter, terrorism and torture.

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: The Kenya Christian cult deaths

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A lawyer for Mackenzie, who has been in custody since police started unearthing bodies in the forest, has said the self-styled pastor is cooperating with the investigation.

During a hearing in the coastal town of Malindi, a judge granted a prosecution request to conduct mental health assessments of the 31 defendants before they are formally charged and enter pleas in two weeks.

Mackenzie, dressed in a white-and-blue-striped polo shirt, sat largely expressionless alongside his fellow defendants in the courtroom.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-kenya-religious-starvation-cult-and-the-grisly-discovery-of-mass-graves-586045">Explained: All about the macabre Kenya starvation death cult, whose founder led 90 to mass graves</a>

Prosecutors have attributed delays in bringing charges to the gruelling and delicate task of locating, exhuming and autopsying so many human remains. Some of Mackenzie's other followers were rescued, emaciated, from the forest.

People with knowledge of the cult's activities told Reuters last year that Mackenzie planned the mass starvation in three phases: first children, then women and young men, and finally the remaining men.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenyan-starvation-cult-death-toll-surpasses-400-after-authorities-find-12-more-bodies-616752">Kenyan starvation cult death toll surpasses 400 after authorities find 12 more bodies</a>

A former taxi driver, Mackenzie forbade cult members from sending their children to school and from going to hospital when they were ill, branding such institutions as Satanic, some of his followers said.

He was convicted in December of producing and distributing films without a license and sentenced to 12 months in jail.

A Kenyan judge on Wednesday ordered cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 30 associates to undergo mental health evaluations before being charged with the murder of 191 children whose bodies have been exhumed since April 2023 from the Shakahola forest in Kenya.

A Kenyan judge on Wednesday ordered cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 30 associates to undergo mental health evaluations before being charged with the murder of 191 children whose bodies have been exhumed since April 2023 from the Shakahola forest in Kenya. Authorities say Mackenzie, the head of the Good News International Church, ordered his followers in southeastern Kenya to starve themselves and their children to death so that they could go to heaven before the world ended. More than 400 bodies were uncovered over the course of months of exhumations across tens of thousands of acres of forest, making this one of the world's worst cult-related tragedies in recent history. Prosecutors say they will charge 95 people in total on counts of murder, manslaughter, terrorism and torture. WATCH | Gravitas: The Kenya Christian cult deaths A lawyer for Mackenzie, who has been in custody since police started unearthing bodies in the forest, has said the self-styled pastor is cooperating with the investigation. During a hearing in the coastal town of Malindi, a judge granted a prosecution request to conduct mental health assessments of the 31 defendants before they are formally charged and enter pleas in two weeks. Mackenzie, dressed in a white-and-blue-striped polo shirt, sat largely expressionless alongside his fellow defendants in the courtroom. ALSO READ | Explained: All about the macabre Kenya starvation death cult, whose founder led 90 to mass graves Prosecutors have attributed delays in bringing charges to the gruelling and delicate task of locating, exhuming and autopsying so many human remains. Some of Mackenzie's other followers were rescued, emaciated, from the forest. People with knowledge of the cult's activities told Reuters last year that Mackenzie planned the mass starvation in three phases: first children, then women and young men, and finally the remaining men. ALSO READ | Kenyan starvation cult death toll surpasses 400 after authorities find 12 more bodies A former taxi driver, Mackenzie forbade cult members from sending their children to school and from going to hospital when they were ill, branding such institutions as Satanic, some of his followers said. He was convicted in December of producing and distributing films without a license and sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Kenyan cult leader to face murder charges in starvation deaths

Two pastors appeared before Kenyan courts, accused of being responsible for the grisly deaths of at least 109 people who were found buried in what has been dubbed the "Shakahola forest massacre."&nbsp;Mass graves were found last month in a forest close to the Indian Ocean coastal town of Malindi, shocking the deeply religious nation with a majority of Christians.

<h2>Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and&nbsp;Ezekiel Odero: The two pastors accused of cult massacre</h2>

Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a self-styled pastor who founded the Good News International Church in 2003 and is accused of inciting cult members to starve to death "to meet Jesus," made an appearance in court in Malindi on Tuesday (May 2).

Mackenzie and eight additional defendants were led in by around six police officers as the small courtroom filled with victims' relatives. He&nbsp;met with his lawyer George Kariuki while wearing a pink, black and brown jacket with&nbsp;brown trousers.

George Kariuki&nbsp;told AFP: "We have not been told what application the prosecution wants to make. We are just waiting to see."

The majority of the 109 reported deaths&nbsp;are those of children. An autopsy was done on nine kids&nbsp;and one woman on Monday (May 1).

Although some of the victims were asphyxiated, authorities&nbsp;confirmed that starvation was the cause of death, reported AFP.

Rich and well-known televangelist Ezekiel Odero is also scheduled to appear in court in Mombasa, the second-largest city in East Africa, after being detained in Malindi on Thursday.

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/my-children-are-dead-i-know-for-sure-father-of-kenya-starvation-cult-victims-586520">&nbsp;'My children are dead, I know for sure': Father of Kenya starvation cult victims</a>

Odero is allegedly responsible for killing, aiding suicide, kidnapping, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child abuse, fraud, and money laundering.

The prosecution is asking for a 30-day extension of his detention, citing reliable evidence connecting the murders of multiple "innocent and vulnerable followers" of Odero's New Life Prayer Centre and Church to the corpses exhumed in Shakahola, reported AFP.

The former cab driver surrendered on April 14 after the police entered Shakahola forest following a tip-off where some 30 mass graves have been found.

Prosecutors claim that Odero and Mackenzie have a connection because they have a "history of business investments," which includes a television station that broadcasts "radicalised messages" to followers.

It has been questioned in court how Mackenzie, a self-styled pastor with an image of extremism, has avoided arrest despite his high profile and prior legal cases.&nbsp;

As a result of the tragedy, President William Ruto has intervened in Kenya's internal religious movements to draw attention to the failure of measures to control fraudulent churches and cults that dabble in illicit activities.&nbsp;

Ruto will put to work a task team this week to determine the best way to regulate religious activities in Kenya, which has roughly 4,000 churches, as per&nbsp;Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Two pastors appeared before Kenyan courts, accused of being responsible for the grisly deaths of at least 109 people who were found buried in what has been dubbed the "Shakahola forest massacre.

Two pastors appeared before Kenyan courts, accused of being responsible for the grisly deaths of at least 109 people who were found buried in what has been dubbed the "Shakahola forest massacre." Mass graves were found last month in a forest close to the Indian Ocean coastal town of Malindi, shocking the deeply religious nation with a majority of Christians. Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and Ezekiel Odero: The two pastors accused of cult massacre Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a self-styled pastor who founded the Good News International Church in 2003 and is accused of inciting cult members to starve to death "to meet Jesus," made an appearance in court in Malindi on Tuesday (May 2). Mackenzie and eight additional defendants were led in by around six police officers as the small courtroom filled with victims' relatives. He met with his lawyer George Kariuki while wearing a pink, black and brown jacket with brown trousers. George Kariuki told AFP: "We have not been told what application the prosecution wants to make. We are just waiting to see." The majority of the 109 reported deaths are those of children. An autopsy was done on nine kids and one woman on Monday (May 1). Although some of the victims were asphyxiated, authorities confirmed that starvation was the cause of death, reported AFP. Rich and well-known televangelist Ezekiel Odero is also scheduled to appear in court in Mombasa, the second-largest city in East Africa, after being detained in Malindi on Thursday. ALSO READ | 'My children are dead, I know for sure': Father of Kenya starvation cult victims Odero is allegedly responsible for killing, aiding suicide, kidnapping, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child abuse, fraud, and money laundering. The prosecution is asking for a 30-day extension of his detention, citing reliable evidence connecting the murders of multiple "innocent and vulnerable followers" of Odero's New Life Prayer Centre and Church to the corpses exhumed in Shakahola, reported AFP. The former cab driver surrendered on April 14 after the police entered Shakahola forest following a tip-off where some 30 mass graves have been found. Prosecutors claim that Odero and Mackenzie have a connection because they have a "history of business investments," which includes a television station that broadcasts "radicalised messages" to followers. It has been questioned in court how Mackenzie, a self-styled pastor with an image of extremism, has avoided arrest despite his high profile and prior legal cases. As a result of the tragedy, President William Ruto has intervened in Kenya's internal religious movements to draw attention to the failure of measures to control fraudulent churches and cults that dabble in illicit activities. Ruto will put to work a task team this week to determine the best way to regulate religious activities in Kenya, which has roughly 4,000 churches, as per Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Kenya: Who are the two pastors facing trial in court over starvation cult massacre?

Dozens of individuals' bodies, who are believed to have starved themselves to death in the hope of entering heaven after joining the self-proclaimed Good News International Church, led by Patrick Mackenzie, were identified&nbsp;on Wednesday, April 26.&nbsp;

In the Kenyan town of Malindi, relatives and loved ones were seen sobbing in front of a mortuary.

Many people spoke out loudly while holding up pictures of their loved ones. Since April 21, when officials began excavating human remains from shallow graves found in an 800-acre section of the Shakahola forest, where the church had its headquarters, the mortuary has quickly become overflowing.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-fox-news-host-tucker-carlson-takes-dig-at-us-media-586500">Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson takes dig at US media</a> 
 
Some of the people who had been saved, slept out on mattresses inside a hospital in Malindi, while others consumed as much food as their stomachs could handle.

Steven Mwiti's wife and five children died of starvation. In an interview to Reuters, he described how in 2015, his wife took their five kids and moved close to Patrick Mackenzie's church, going missing for extended periods of time. He saved them after the first time. “I warned her that if she goes back to that church she should not return here. If you decide to go, leave my children here," he said.

His wife disregarded his advice and returned to the church once more. She managed to escape a third time and took the kids along with her. Mwiti told Reuters that when he got in touch with her, she informed him that they were out of food. He tried again to save them, but it didn't work.

“The young men (there) told me that my children had been living in the forest since 2021. They told me my children had been starved to death.''

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Mwiti is one of many people who have failed to locate their loved ones among the 81 remains that have already been exhumed by the police. They are also not among the 36 people that were saved by Wednesday, April 26.

According to Kenyan media, the cult members gave the names Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Judea to several of their forest settlements.

Watch | Gemini Sankaran, pioneer of Indian Circus dies at age of 99 in Kerala's Kannur

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According to authorities, the cult's head, Paul Mackenzie, turned himself in on April 14 and is being detained with 14 other cult members.

Mackenzie is reportedly rejecting food and drink, according to Kenyan media.&nbsp;Paul Mackenzie Nthenge advised his followers to starve themselves to death in order to find God. Not just in Kenya, but all throughout the world, people are shocked and incensed over the situation. Kenyan authorities responded last month after receiving information about shallow graves with dead bodies in a forest.

They began looking in the Shakahola forest close to Malindi. Since then, dozens of bodies have been excavated, and more gruesome discoveries are anticipated.&nbsp;

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Dozens of individuals' bodies, who are believed to have starved themselves to death in the hope of entering heaven after joining the self-proclaimed Good News International Church, led by Patrick Mackenzie, were identified on Wednesday, April 26.

Dozens of individuals' bodies, who are believed to have starved themselves to death in the hope of entering heaven after joining the self-proclaimed Good News International Church, led by Patrick Mackenzie, were identified on Wednesday, April 26. In the Kenyan town of Malindi, relatives and loved ones were seen sobbing in front of a mortuary. Many people spoke out loudly while holding up pictures of their loved ones. Since April 21, when officials began excavating human remains from shallow graves found in an 800-acre section of the Shakahola forest, where the church had its headquarters, the mortuary has quickly become overflowing. Also Read | Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson takes dig at US media Some of the people who had been saved, slept out on mattresses inside a hospital in Malindi, while others consumed as much food as their stomachs could handle. Steven Mwiti's wife and five children died of starvation. In an interview to Reuters, he described how in 2015, his wife took their five kids and moved close to Patrick Mackenzie's church, going missing for extended periods of time. He saved them after the first time. “I warned her that if she goes back to that church she should not return here. If you decide to go, leave my children here," he said. His wife disregarded his advice and returned to the church once more. She managed to escape a third time and took the kids along with her. Mwiti told Reuters that when he got in touch with her, she informed him that they were out of food. He tried again to save them, but it didn't work. “The young men (there) told me that my children had been living in the forest since 2021. They told me my children had been starved to death.'' Also Read | Argentina moves away from US dollar for trade in Chinese currency Mwiti is one of many people who have failed to locate their loved ones among the 81 remains that have already been exhumed by the police. They are also not among the 36 people that were saved by Wednesday, April 26. According to Kenyan media, the cult members gave the names Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Judea to several of their forest settlements. Watch | Gemini Sankaran, pioneer of Indian Circus dies at age of 99 in Kerala's Kannur × According to authorities, the cult's head, Paul Mackenzie, turned himself in on April 14 and is being detained with 14 other cult members. Mackenzie is reportedly rejecting food and drink, according to Kenyan media. Paul Mackenzie Nthenge advised his followers to starve themselves to death in order to find God. Not just in Kenya, but all throughout the world, people are shocked and incensed over the situation. Kenyan authorities responded last month after receiving information about shallow graves with dead bodies in a forest. They began looking in the Shakahola forest close to Malindi. Since then, dozens of bodies have been excavated, and more gruesome discoveries are anticipated. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'My children are dead, I know for sure': Father of Kenya starvation cult victims

A total of 73 people have been reported dead till now in the Kenyan starvation cult incident. Police on Monday discovered more bodies of alleged members of the cult that practised starvation, bringing the toll to 73 from 57 earlier. Officials have been searching a forest near the coastal town of Malindi for days. Dozens of corpses have already been exhumed and authorities fear more grisly discoveries are likely to be made in the coming days.

"We have 73 bodies from the forest by this evening and the exercise will continue tomorrow," AFP news agency quoted a police officer involved in the probe as saying, with a second official also confirming the toll.

Kenyan President William Ruto slammed the deaths and the starvation cult movement on Monday, and vowed to crack down on "unacceptable" religious movements.&nbsp;

Authorities have launched an investigation into the Good News International Church and its leader, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, as named in court documents. The cult leader told his followers that starving themselves to death will deliver them to God.

A few of his devotees might still be hiding in the bush around Shakahola, officials believe. The police had raided the forest earlier this month after receiving a tip-off from a local non-profit. Since then, a number of people have been rescued and dozens of bodies unearthed in mass graves.

A 325-hectare area of the forest has been declared a crime scene.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-of-47-suspected-kenyan-cult-members-have-been-exhumed-585504">Bodies of 47 suspected Kenyan cult members have been exhumed</a>

Ruto likened rogue pastors like Nthenge to terrorists. "Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mr Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing."

"I have instructed the agencies responsible to take up the matter and to get to the root cause and to the bottom of the activities of... people who want to use religion to advance a weird, unacceptable ideology."

The cult and the associated deaths are being dubbed the "Shakahola Forest Massacre". Questions are arising about how the cult managed to operate despite Nthenge having been arrested before.

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&nbsp;

He was first arrested in 2017 on charges of "radicalisation" for urging families not to send their children to school. He told them education was not recognised by the Bible. He was arrested again last month, according to local media, after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents.

He was released on bail before surrendering to police following the Shakahola raid. Fourteen more people are reportedly in custody over the Shakahola deaths and the case is due to be heard on May 2.

(With inputs form agencies)

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A total of 73 people have been reported dead till now in the Kenyan starvation cult incident. Police on Monday discovered more bodies of alleged members of the cult that practised starvation, bringing the toll to 73 from 57 earlier.

A total of 73 people have been reported dead till now in the Kenyan starvation cult incident. Police on Monday discovered more bodies of alleged members of the cult that practised starvation, bringing the toll to 73 from 57 earlier. Officials have been searching a forest near the coastal town of Malindi for days. Dozens of corpses have already been exhumed and authorities fear more grisly discoveries are likely to be made in the coming days. "We have 73 bodies from the forest by this evening and the exercise will continue tomorrow," AFP news agency quoted a police officer involved in the probe as saying, with a second official also confirming the toll. Kenyan President William Ruto slammed the deaths and the starvation cult movement on Monday, and vowed to crack down on "unacceptable" religious movements. Authorities have launched an investigation into the Good News International Church and its leader, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, as named in court documents. The cult leader told his followers that starving themselves to death will deliver them to God. A few of his devotees might still be hiding in the bush around Shakahola, officials believe. The police had raided the forest earlier this month after receiving a tip-off from a local non-profit. Since then, a number of people have been rescued and dozens of bodies unearthed in mass graves. A 325-hectare area of the forest has been declared a crime scene. Also Read | Bodies of 47 suspected Kenyan cult members have been exhumed Ruto likened rogue pastors like Nthenge to terrorists. "Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mr Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing." "I have instructed the agencies responsible to take up the matter and to get to the root cause and to the bottom of the activities of... people who want to use religion to advance a weird, unacceptable ideology." The cult and the associated deaths are being dubbed the "Shakahola Forest Massacre". Questions are arising about how the cult managed to operate despite Nthenge having been arrested before. × He was first arrested in 2017 on charges of "radicalisation" for urging families not to send their children to school. He told them education was not recognised by the Bible. He was arrested again last month, according to local media, after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents. He was released on bail before surrendering to police following the Shakahola raid. Fourteen more people are reportedly in custody over the Shakahola deaths and the case is due to be heard on May 2. (With inputs form agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shakahola starvation deaths: 73 bodies linked to Kenyan cult found, Ruto vows action