A Kenyan high court on Tuesday (Feb 6) charged cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his 29 associates with the murder of nearly 200 children who were found among hundreds of others from the Shakahola forest, last year.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened in the court?</h2>

The Malindi High Court charged Mackenzie, the head of the Good News International Church and self-proclaimed pastor, who according to prosecutors, 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.

Mackenzie and the 29 others pleaded not guilty to the charges which include 191 counts of murder, including of three infants, reported AFP citing court documents. One suspect was found mentally unfit to stand trial.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenyan-cult-leader-to-face-murder-charges-in-starvation-deaths-680866">Kenyan cult leader to face murder charges in starvation deaths</a>

The incident which emerged last year sent shockwaves across the world and is being dubbed as one of the worst cult-related disasters in recent history.

The alleged leader of a doomsday cult has already been charged with terrorism, manslaughter as well as child torture and cruelty. Mackenzie was arrested last April.&nbsp;

In December, Mackenzie was convicted and sentenced to 12 months in jail for producing and distributing films without a licence.&nbsp;

The trial for the alleged leader of a doomsday cult begins on March 7.&nbsp;

<h2>What we know about the case</h2>

In 2023, more than 400 bodies were uncovered over months of exhumations across tens of thousands of acres of the Shakahola forest in eastern Kenya.&nbsp; 
 
(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.)

The autopsies later revealed that the majority of the 429 victims had died of hunger, but others, including children, appeared to have been strangled, beaten or suffocated.&nbsp;

According to a chargesheet filed last month at the Tononoka Children’s Court in the city of Mombasa, Mackenzie and 38 other suspects “wilfully and intentionally” denied food to children as young as six years old and whipped others with thorny sticks, reported AFP.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/children-were-targetted-to-die-first-in-kenya-doomsday-cult-killings-report-592510">Children were targetted to die first in Kenya doomsday cult killings: Report</a>

Last year, a New York Times report citing a former deputy preacher of the cult, Titus Katana, revealed that there was a methodical plan for mass suicide through starvation and children were the first to perish and were asked to “to fast in the sun so they would die faster”.&nbsp;

Katana also reportedly revealed that children were treated brutally by being shut in huts for five days without food or water.

Mackenzie forbade cult members from sending their children to school and going to the hospital when they were ill, calling such institutions Satanic, reported Reuters citing some of his followers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A Kenyan high court on Tuesday (Feb 6) charged cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his 29 associates with the murder of nearly 200 children who were found among hundreds of others from the Shakahola forest, last year.

A Kenyan high court on Tuesday (Feb 6) charged cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his 29 associates with the murder of nearly 200 children who were found among hundreds of others from the Shakahola forest, last year. What happened in the court? The Malindi High Court charged Mackenzie, the head of the Good News International Church and self-proclaimed pastor, who according to prosecutors, 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. Mackenzie and the 29 others pleaded not guilty to the charges which include 191 counts of murder, including of three infants, reported AFP citing court documents. One suspect was found mentally unfit to stand trial. ALSO READ | Kenyan cult leader to face murder charges in starvation deaths The incident which emerged last year sent shockwaves across the world and is being dubbed as one of the worst cult-related disasters in recent history. The alleged leader of a doomsday cult has already been charged with terrorism, manslaughter as well as child torture and cruelty. Mackenzie was arrested last April. In December, Mackenzie was convicted and sentenced to 12 months in jail for producing and distributing films without a licence. The trial for the alleged leader of a doomsday cult begins on March 7. What we know about the case In 2023, more than 400 bodies were uncovered over months of exhumations across tens of thousands of acres of the Shakahola forest in eastern Kenya. (Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) The autopsies later revealed that the majority of the 429 victims had died of hunger, but others, including children, appeared to have been strangled, beaten or suffocated. According to a chargesheet filed last month at the Tononoka Children’s Court in the city of Mombasa, Mackenzie and 38 other suspects “wilfully and intentionally” denied food to children as young as six years old and whipped others with thorny sticks, reported AFP. ALSO READ | Children were targetted to die first in Kenya doomsday cult killings: Report Last year, a New York Times report citing a former deputy preacher of the cult, Titus Katana, revealed that there was a methodical plan for mass suicide through starvation and children were the first to perish and were asked to “to fast in the sun so they would die faster”. Katana also reportedly revealed that children were treated brutally by being shut in huts for five days without food or water. Mackenzie forbade cult members from sending their children to school and going to the hospital when they were ill, calling such institutions Satanic, reported Reuters citing some of his followers. (With inputs from agencies)

Kenyan doomsday cult leader charged with murder of nearly 200 children

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

(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) Skeletons continue to tumble out of the closet of the doomsday cult in Kenya that murdered hundreds.

(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) Skeletons continue to tumble out of the closet of the doomsday cult in Kenya that murdered hundreds. Reportedly, children were targetted first and starved to death, followed by adults, according to fresh accounts. A former deputy preacher of the cult, Titus Katana, revealed that there was a methodical plan for mass suicide through starvation. Children were the first to perish and were asked to “to fast in the sun so they would die faster". Women and men were next to follow the plan, according to Katana, who was quoted in a New York Times report. Katana joined the Good News church run by Pastor Paul Mackenzie in 2015 and became the deputy pastor soon. He said he admired Mackenzie initially for his preaching but soon felt a shift after the latter seemingly made contact with the 'God'. “He told me he had received a revelation from God. Everything bad started with this,” said Katana. Katana, who is co-operating with the authorities in the investigation, also revealed that children were treated brutally by being shut in huts for five days without food or water. "Then they wrapped them in blankets and buried them, even the ones still breathing," he added. After Katana left the cult, he said he went to the police to report that “kids are dying” in the forest. “They [Police] never took any action until it was too late,” he said. ALSO READ | Kenya starvation cult death toll crosses 200; illegal organ harvesting racket suspected According to the latest reports, the total death toll in the case has risen to 201 with 22 additional bodies discovered last Saturday. Official autopsies of some of the bodies found signs of starvation, suffocation and beatings. As per the Coast Regional Commissioner, over 600 people have been reported missing, including from villages around the forest. The shocking Kenya religious starvation cult Last month, the Kenyan authorities raided the premises of Paul Makenzie Nthenge, a pastor who ran the Good News International Church and advised followers to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus". WATCH | Gravitas: The Kenya Christian cult deaths × The police said they began the operation after receiving a secret tip that 'ignorant' followers of Nthenge were 'starving themselves to death'. After reaching the church, they found 15 malnourished followers who were on the verge of death. Seven died before reaching the hospital as authorities extended their investigation by searching the nearby cemetery and forest. Since then, the case has gained international prominence with another pastor named Ezekiel Odero named as the second culprit, responsible for murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Children were targetted to die first in Kenya doomsday cult killings: Report

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;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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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?

The Kenyan authorities on Thursday arrested another church leader, accused of mass killing of followers, days after the leader of a cult in the same region was detained for the mass graves of his followers.

The Kenyan authorities on Thursday arrested another church leader, accused of mass killing of followers, days after the leader of a cult in the same region was detained for the mass graves of his followers. Ezekiel Odero, the pastor at New Life Prayer Centre and Church in the small southeastern town of Mavueni was arrested as law enforcement agencies evacuated more than 100 people who had been holed up inside his church. According to Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, Odero's arrest is connected to allegations of deaths that have occurred at his premises and reported at various morgues across the town. He is currently being processed and is expected to face criminal charges. "It is notified for information of the general public that today Thursday, 27th April 2023, Mr Ezekiel Ombok Odero the Head of New Life Prayer Centre/Church at Mavueni within Malindi Sub-County of Kilifi County has been arrested and is being processed to face criminal charges related to mass killing of his followers," tweeted Kindiki. "The said Church has been shut down. The over 100 people who were holed up at the premises have been evacuated and will be required to record statements," he added. It is notified for information of the general public that today Thursday, 27th April 2023, Mr Ezekiel Ombok Odero the Head of New Life Prayer Centre/Church at Mavueni within Malindi Sub-County of Kilifi County has been arrested and is being processed to face criminal charges… pic.twitter.com/78EHEoH08l — Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) April 27, 2023 × Odero is a wealthy televangelist who drew huge crowds and used pseudoscience and trickery to deceive people into believing him. According to reports, in his 40,000 seater church in Malindi, Odero claimed that 'holy' scraps of cloth sold at his mega rallies could heal sickness. Notably, Mavueni is only 66 km away from the Shakahola forest where 98 bodies have been exhumed so far after police acted on a tip-off to rescue the brainwashed followers. So far, the authorities have not linked the two cases. The crackdown of one of Kenya's most high-profile pastors comes after President William Ruto vowed to crack down on extremist religious leaders who violated the law. WATCH | Kenya cult death toll climbs to 98 as more bodies found in shallow graves × The shocking Kenya religious starvation cult Earlier this month, the Kenyan authorities raided the premises of Paul Makenzie Nthenge, a pastor who ran the Good News International Church and advised followers to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus". The police said they began the operation after receiving a secret tip that 'ignorant' followers of Nthenge were 'starving themselves to death'. After reaching the church, they found 15 malnourished followers who were on the verge of death. Seven died before reaching the hospital as authorities extended their investigation by searching the nearby cemetery and forest. ALSO READ | Explained: All about the macabre Kenya starvation death cult, whose founder led 98 to mass graves Since then, over 98 bodies have been exhumed from the Shakahola forest and the grisly discoveries are not expected to end soon. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Another Kenyan pastor arrested for mass killing of followers

Kenya's Police Inspector General Japheth Koome visits the site where remains of cult members were found in the Shakahola Forest near the coastal town of Malindi in Kenya. The death toll has climbed to 73 as the investigation continues.

Kenya Cult Starvation: Death toll rises to 73

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