A Kenyan cult chief who allegedly inspired greater than 400 followers to go on a starvation strike has pleaded not responsible to manslaughter in one of many worst ever circumstances of cult-related mass deaths.
Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie appeared in courtroom within the coastal metropolis of Mombasa on Monday together with 94 different suspects.
Mr McKenzie was arrested in April final 12 months after 429 our bodies, together with youngsters, had been exhumed from a mass grave at Shakahola. drive. Many of the our bodies confirmed indicators of hunger and aggression.
“There has by no means been a case of manslaughter like this in Kenya,” prosecutor Alexander Jami Yamina informed AFP.
Prosecutors mentioned greater than 400 witnesses will testify within the subsequent 4 days.
Yamina mentioned the case was distinctive in Kenya and the suspects could be prosecuted below legal guidelines associated to suicide pacts.
After the case got here to mild final 12 months, Kenyans had been shocked and horrified that folks had been keen to starve themselves to loss of life. It grew to become referred to as the “Shakahora Forest Bloodbath.”
Mr McKenzie allegedly informed his followers they’d attain heaven quicker in the event that they stopped consuming.
Mr McKenzie faces two additional trials: a terrorism trial that began in July and one other on youngster abuse expenses together with subjecting youngsters to torture, assault, youngster abuse and violating a baby’s proper to training – He denies the accusations.
Survivors say youngsters needs to be the primary to go hungry below a chilling order drawn up by Mr McKenzie. Then the single, the ladies, the boys, and eventually the church leaders.
Mr McKenzie established his Good Information Worldwide Church in 2003 however mentioned he closed the church in 2019.
He inspired his followers to maneuver to Shaka Hora Forest to arrange to “meet Jesus” on the finish of the world.
Pastor McKenzie reportedly owns 800 acres of distant forest the place there isn’t a cell community.
The forest was divided into completely different areas and given biblical place names corresponding to Judea, Bethlehem and Nazareth.
In March, authorities launched the our bodies of some victims to kin after months of figuring out them by DNA testing. Up to now, 34 our bodies have been returned.
Mr. McKenzie preaches that formal training is evil and used to extort cash.
In 2017 and 2018, he was arrested for encouraging youngsters to remain out of college as a result of he claimed training was “not sanctioned by the Bible.”
He additionally allegedly inspired moms to keep away from medical therapy throughout childbirth and never vaccinate their youngsters.
In November final 12 months, Mr McKenzie was convicted of illegally working a movie studio in connection together with his ministry and distribution of movies with no legitimate filming license and was sentenced to a 12 months in jail.
Kenya is a deeply spiritual nation, with 85% of the inhabitants working towards Christianity. There have been earlier circumstances of individuals being lured into harmful, unregulated church buildings or cults.
