# Kenyan cult leader convicted of 191 deaths

> Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie found guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult in mass starvation deaths.
- Title: Kenyan cult leader convicted of 191 deaths · The Straits Times
- Summary: Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie found guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult in mass starvation deaths. Kenyan court convicted Paul Mackenzie of…
- Keywords: kenya, mackenzie, good news international church, shakahola forest, starvation cult, murder, child deaths, news, world, Kenyan, cult, leader
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/kenyan-starvation-cult-leader-found-guilty-of-murder-of-191-children-one-adult
- Published: 2026-10-19T15:31:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kenya, mackenzie, good news international church, shakahola forest, starvation cult, murder, child deaths, news, world
## Conviction verdict
Kenyan court found Paul Mackenzie and 28 others guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult in a mass starvation tragedy.
## Mass graves discovered
Over 400 bodies recovered from Shakahola Forest, with 26 children identified after severe decomposition.
## Cult's starvation plan
Mackenzie ordered followers to starve children, women, and men in three phases to enter heaven before the world ended.
## Arrest and charges
Mackenzie arrested in 2023 after police tip-off; faces terrorism charges and other deaths in Kwa Binzaro village.
## Family impact
Francis Wanje, 62, lost eight family members including two grandchildren to the cult.
## Court reaction
Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache said children were isolated and denied food while parents watched.
## Next steps
Mackenzie and co-accused will be sentenced on Nov 6; defence plans appeal after verdict.
## Key takeaway

Kenyan court convicted Paul Mackenzie of murdering 190 children and one adult through starvation in a cult-related tragedy.