Paul Mackenzie, the leader of a group known as a "starvation cult" in Kenya, has been sentenced to 200 years in prison by the Mombasa High Court. Mackenzie was accused of manipulating his followers with the promise that if they starved to death, they would "meet Jesus" and "go to heaven."
The court ruled that Mackenzie would serve a total of 200 years in prison, consisting of 100 years for murder and 100 years for crimes related to starvation. The case covered charges related to the deaths of 190 children and 1 adult.
During the trial, Mackenzie denied the charges against him, arguing that he did not force his followers to starve. However, the court did not accept this defense. The verdict stated that Mackenzie had encouraged his followers to starve in a way that resulted in death and that he bore primary criminal responsibility for the events.
The judge stated that the sentence was fair and appropriate in terms of preventing similar crimes and sending a message that such actions would be met with the harshest sanctions permitted by law.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights had announced that a total of 448 people lost their lives in the incidents. In hearings held last month, 28 of Mackenzie's accomplices were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years, depending on their crimes.
The event, known as the "Shakahola massacre," came to light in 2023 when the lifeless bodies of hundreds of people were discovered during searches in the Shakahola Forest in Kenya's Kilifi region, sparking widespread international outcry.
News Source: 12punto
