Kenya: Kenyan Cult Leader Sentenced to 200 Years for Shakahola Forest Deaths

What the report says

A Kenyan court on Friday sentenced self-styled pastor Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison over the deaths of 191 people in the Shakahola forest case, a mass-casualty cult scandal that emerged near Malindi on Kenya’s coast. The ruling followed a conviction last month on murder charges tied largely to children who prosecutors said died after being induced to fast to death.

According to Radio France Internationale’s report carried by AllAfrica, the court said Mackenzie bore the main responsibility for directing followers to starve themselves in an attempt to “meet Jesus.” Justice Diana Mochache described the punishment as necessary and said it should send a strong warning against similar crimes. The sentence was divided into 100 years for homicide and 100 years for starvation-related offences.

The case has drawn wide attention because hundreds of bodies were later found at the group’s base in the Shakahola forest area, and investigations have continued since 2023. RFI reported that 28 co-accused were also sentenced, with the longest term reaching 160 years. Mackenzie’s lawyer said he would appeal, while prosecutors had sought the death penalty and life terms for some accomplices.

More broadly, the case has intensified debate in Kenya about oversight of religious groups. Public reporting has also noted that some victims remain unidentified and that earlier warnings about Mackenzie did not prevent the tragedy.