Kenyan Doomsday Cult Leader Found Guilty of Murdering 190 Children in Shocking Starvation Case

A Kenyan court has found doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult in a case that exposed the devastating consequences of an extremist religious movement.

Mackenzie, who led the Good News International Church, was convicted alongside 28 other defendants at the Mombasa High Court on October 19, 2026. The victims’ deaths were linked to a group operating in Shakahola Forest, where followers were allegedly encouraged to starve themselves and their children in the belief that they would enter heaven before the end of the world.

The case first drew international attention in 2023, when authorities began uncovering mass graves in the forest. More than 400 bodies have since been recovered from the area, although the latest murder verdict specifically concerns 191 victims.

According to prosecutors, Mackenzie used his religious teachings and influence over followers to promote extreme fasting. The court heard that children were among the first victims, with some allegedly denied food while adults believed their deaths would bring spiritual rewards.

Investigators also reported that followers were discouraged from seeking medical treatment and sending their children to school. Some survivors later provided testimony about conditions inside the isolated community.

Mackenzie denied the murder allegations, but the court ruled that prosecutors had proved the charges against him and the other defendants.

The verdict marks a significant development for families who have spent years seeking answers about their missing relatives. However, the broader investigation into the hundreds of deaths connected to the forest continues.

Mackenzie and the other convicted defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2026.

The case has renewed calls in Kenya for stronger oversight of religious organizations and better protection for vulnerable people from leaders who may exploit their trust.

Source: PEOPLE