Kenyan Preacher Sentenced to 200 Years Over Shakahola Forest Deaths

A Kenyan court has sentenced Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, founder of the Good News International Church, to 200 years in prison following his conviction for the deaths of 191 people, the vast majority of whom were children. Justice Diana Kavedza of the High Court in Mombasa delivered the sentence on November 6, which includes 100 years for murder by starvation and 100 years for direct homicide. Twenty-eight co-defendants also received prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years.

Prosecutors established that Mackenzie instructed his followers to starve themselves and their children to reach heaven. Evidence presented in court indicated that those who resisted were subjected to violence or confinement. While authorities have recovered 448 bodies from Shakahola Forest, Reuters reports that the total number of suspected victims linked to the case may reach 500. Mackenzie’s legal team has stated their intention to appeal the conviction. The tragedy has prompted significant criticism regarding the failure of state institutions to intervene in the group's activities earlier.