Pastor Paul Mackenzie convicted of 191 murders in Kenya starvation cult case

Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 28 associates were convicted on 191 murder charges on Tuesday in Mombasa, ending a high‑profile trial over the Good News International Church’s “starvation cult” that operated in Kenya’s coastal southeast. The court sentenced Mackenzie to life imprisonment and handed lengthy terms to the other defendants, finding they deliberately forced members to fast to the point of death.

The case has drawn national attention because the sect, which claimed to offer “divine protection” through extreme fasting, was responsible for the deaths of at least 100 followers between 2017 and 2022, including dozens of children. Survivors say Mackenzie told them that food was a test of faith and that anyone who ate would be cursed. The group’s teachings spread through social media and word of mouth, drawing in vulnerable families from poor coastal towns. Police first intervened in 2019 after a teenage girl escaped and reported the practice, prompting a raid that uncovered dozens of emaciated bodies hidden in makeshift shelters.

The trial lasted eight months and relied on testimony from former members, forensic evidence, and recordings of Mackenzie’s sermons. Prosecutors argued the deaths were not accidental but the result of a coordinated plan to control members and extract money through donations. Human‑rights groups called the verdict a “landmark” for holding religious leaders accountable, while some church leaders warned against a blanket crackdown on faith‑based groups. The families of victims were present in the courtroom, some weeping, others demanding compensation for the loss of their loved ones.

The convictions open the door to further legal actions. Defense lawyers have already filed appeals on procedural grounds, and the Kenyan government has said it will review regulations governing religious organisations to prevent similar abuses. Survivors hope the case will bring financial restitution and support services, while authorities promise tighter monitoring of sects that promote harmful practices. The outcome signals a shift in how Kenya confronts extremist religious movements that threaten public safety.