A cult leader in Kenya has been accused of murder after more than 400 bodies were discovered buried in shallow graves in a remote forest in the eastern part of the country.
Paul Mackenzie, along with 29 others, pleaded not guilty in a court in Malindi to charges of murder. Mackenzie was also faced with charges of terrorism, child cruelty, and torture, which he also denied. It was alleged by the Police and prosecutors that some victims were starved, strangled, suffocated, or beaten to death with blunt objects.
The accused were charged with the murder of 191 people. Survivors and families of victims claim that Mackenzie encouraged followers to fast to "go see Jesus."
One former follower, known as Neema, revealed that she was part of Mackenzie's Good News International Church until it was shut down in 2019. When Mackenzie moved to Shakahola forest with other church members, Neema followed in 2022. However, they were unable to leave the forest, and conditions deteriorated rapidly.
Neema, who was pregnant at the time, described being held against her will and witnessing rape and starvation among other followers. Initially, they received minimal food and water, but eventually, supplies stopped altogether. Desperate to escape, Neema and two friends devised a plan and managed to flee when guards were distracted.
Sadly, many, including children, were not as fortunate and were subjected to fasting until they died, according to survivors' accounts. Shakahola forest is now under police guard, declared a crime scene, and inaccessible to the public.