Africa: Leader of apocalyptic sect sentenced to 200 years in prison

A self-proclaimed Kenyan preacher was sentenced on Friday to 200 years in prison for the murder of 190 children and one adult within a sect infamous for its starvation practices.

Hundreds of bodies have been discovered since 2023 at the sect's base near the seaside resort of Malindi, in what has become known as the "Shakahola Forest Massacre".

Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie has been accused of inciting his followers to starve themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus".

Last month, he was found guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult between January 2021 and September 2023, along with 28 co-defendants. His lawyer announced his intention to appeal.

On Friday, the court sentenced him to 100 years in prison for homicide and to 100 years in prison for starvation.

Twenty-eight accomplices were also sentenced to long prison terms.

Mackenzie is also accused of manslaughter and terrorism in other trials, charges which he denies.

The former taxi driver appeared indifferent as he arrived at court on Friday, dressed in a polo shirt and sporting a slight smile.

Francis Wanje, a 62-year-old teacher who lost two grandchildren, told AFP that he had hoped Mackenzie would be sentenced to death to prevent further tragedies.

“Nothing can ease the pain,” said Wanje, who criticized the authorities for not acting quickly enough.

"I am really very angry with the authorities. If they had acted, we wouldn't be here today," he added.

Death penalty

Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, citing the scale of the loss of life and the danger posed by his actions.

Although Kenyan law provides for the death penalty, the country has not carried out any executions since 1987.

Prosecutors also asked the court to sentence Mackenzie's co-defendants to life imprisonment, arguing that they had been "deeply indoctrinated by Mackenzie and were likely to reoffend."

Approximately 120 prosecution witnesses testified at the trial.

According to witnesses, the movement denounced formal education as "satanic", considered modern medicine and hospitals to be instruments of the devil, and demanded that its followers cut themselves off from the outside world.

Mackenzie was arrested in April 2023 after a human rights group alerted authorities and some of his supporters were rescued from the 325-hectare ranch located in the Shakahola forest on the Kenyan coast.

The Kenyan National Human Rights Commission has put the death toll at 429 in 2024. Some victims remain unidentified.

This case has reignited calls for stricter regulation of religious organizations, after it was revealed that Mackenzie had already been arrested twice before being released.