Kenyan sect leader Mackenzie denies charges of mass starvation

Leader of the Kenyan religious group, Paul Mackenzie, is suspected of encouraging over 400 of his followers to starve to death. The man denied the allegations in court, reports BBC.

Sect leader Paul Mackenzie was arrested in April 2023. On Monday, August 12, both he and 94 others charged alongside him appeared in court in Mombasa. Prosecutors planned to call 400 witnesses over the next four days of the trial.

The arrest of the sect leader occurred after the discovery of 429 bodies of adults and children showing signs of starvation and persecution. All bodies were buried in a mass grave in the forest about 2 hours from the city of Malindi. According to information provided by BBC, Mackenzie allegedly convinced his followers that by depriving themselves of food, they would reach heaven faster.

Paul Mackenzie will also face court in connection with two other investigations. The first is related to charges of terrorism, and the second pertains to allegations of violence and cruelty against children, torturing them, and depriving them of the right to education.

In 2003, Mackenzie founded the international church of good hope. After 16 years, he announced its closure. He persuaded some of his followers to move to the forest and wait there for the end of the world and the return of Jesus.

The sect leader owns 800 hectares of forest land where there is no cell phone reception. It is there that Mackenzie and his followers were to flee and live. The area was divided into zones with biblical names such as Judea and Nazareth. Mackenzie preached that education was contrary to the Bible and was the work of Satan. He allegedly required regular donations from his followers to support the sect's activities.

The first witnesses questioned in the starvation case testified that Mackenzie created exceptionally cruel rules in his sect. According to the hierarchy imposed by the leader, children were to be starved first. The next group was unmarried individuals. Lastly, married couples and community leaders.

In Kenya, 85 percent of the population declares membership in various Christian communities. Thus, there is a problem with unofficial churches and sects often involved in illegal activities. In a country of over 50 million citizens, more than 4,000 different churches and religious organizations are registered - informs PAP.