Kenyan death cult leader found guilty of 191 murder charges

A Kenyan preacher and 28 associates were found guilty on Monday of murdering 190 children and one adult, according to The Korea Times. The convictions took place in an open-air Mombasa courtroom, where judge Diana Kavedza Mochache ruled that the prosecution had proved the case against all 29 accused individuals. The killings are linked to the Shakahola Forest Massacre, involving a community established inland from the Malindi beach resort.

The Korea Times reports that self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie allegedly incited followers to starve to death in an attempt to meet Jesus. ABC News AU notes that the pastor used religious teachings to enforce deadly fasting on his followers and their children. While the specific conviction covers 191 deaths, The Korea Times states that more than 400 bodies of men, women, and children have been unearthed at the site since 2023.

Brief written by urgent.news from ABC News AU, The Korea Times — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.