Kenyan cult leader sentenced to life for murdering 191 people

A Kenyan doomsday cult leader has been handed a life sentence for the murders of 191 people. Justice Mochache delivered an eight-hour judgement last month, stating that Mackenzie's followers regarded him as "Jesus's mouthpiece."

The judge determined that the deaths resulted from a structured system involving religious directives that forced followers to participate in fatal fasting. According to the court, those who defied Mackenzie's teachings were beaten to death. One co-accused stated that Mackenzie had told his followers that anyone who "resisted the directive to fast must be forced to go to heaven through kicks and blows."

Within the forest where the cult operated, burials were referred to as "weddings," and the judge noted that those who died "were celebrated as having wedded with Jesus." Post-mortem examinations indicated that starvation was the primary cause of death for most victims, although others suffered from strangulation, suffocation, or head injuries. Some bodies were too decomposed to identify a cause of death, while some individuals died shortly after being rescued due to severe emaciation.

The Shakahola deaths have drawn attention to the absence of oversight regarding rogue religious groups and their ability to operate for extended periods. President William Ruto established a commission of inquiry, though it was later ruled unconstitutional. Investigations by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) suggested that local law enforcement and administration officials frequently ignored the cult's activities.

Wanje, who reported the situation to police in March 2023, stated, "We expected at that time the police would take action immediately to go and rescue the other members there, but it didn't happen." Wanje managed to save his grandson with the help of a relative in the police force and a former participant. The child informed police of the events and identified the graves of his siblings, with Wanje adding, "It was [supposed to be] his last day.. they [would have killed] my grandson."

Mackenzie had been arrested previously but was released due to a lack of evidence. He founded Good News International Ministries in 2003, and over 16 years, the organisation grew to include thousands of followers across Kenya. The church operated a television station, Times TV, which broadcast sermons from his Malindi church. His teachings included conspiracy theories claiming education was "evil," healthcare was "against the doctrine," and digital identity cards were "the mark of the devil."

In 2019, the main church closed, and Mackenzie relocated to Shakahola forest, urging his devotees to join him. While these convictions provide some justice, they account for 191 victims, despite over 400 bodies being exhumed from the forest.