Pastor Paul Mackenzie, Kenya, is accused of causing mass starvation deaths

There are strange events unfolding in Kenya that give cause for reflection. Pastor Paul Mackenzie is a Kenyan cult leader accused of causing mass starvation deaths in the Shakahola

Forest. He founded the Good News International Church and propagated apocalyptic teachings that led to the deaths of over 400 followers, including children. Mackenzie, born in 1973, worked as a taxi driver before founding his church in 2003. He preached against formal education as "demonic" and urged his followers to fast themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus." In 2019, he publicly closed the church and directed its members to Shakahola. In 2023, police discovered 429 bodies in mass graves in the Shakahola Forest after survivors reported orders to starve. Autopsies revealed that the victims died of starvation, beatings, and strangulation, with children being instructed to die first. Now, he is being charged in connection with 52 additional deaths in another village, according to prosecutors. Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie was arrested in 2023 after 429 bodies, including those of children, were exhumed from mass graves in the remote forest area of ​​Shakahola. Since January 2026, Mackenzie has been charged in connection with 52 deaths in the village of Binzaro, allegedly ordered by prison letters promoting radicalization and terrorism. A co-defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year. Mackenzie was arrested in 2023 and remains in custody. He faces multiple charges of murder, manslaughter, child torture, and terrorism. His church has been designated a criminal organization by Kenyan authorities. He is also accused of luring the most recent victims to their deaths through letters sent from his prison cell. Mackenzie has pleaded not guilty to several manslaughter charges. Pastor Paul Mackenzie's case raises questions. The first question will be: who is guilty? Mackenzie is certainly guilty; there is no doubt about that. There are many other culprits who wish to remain unnamed, but who enabled Mackenzie's actions. There is a massive systemic failure, because this case exposed catastrophic shortcomings on the part of law enforcement, child protective services, and religious oversight bodies. Mackenzie had already been arrested several times (in 2017 and 2019) for radical preaching and the deaths of children, but was repeatedly released on bail. Warnings from concerned families were often ignored. The church bears a large share of the blame, as other pastors were also involved. The investigation has expanded to include other pastors in the Lenten cult network. Ezekiel Odero, popularly known as Pastor Ezekiel, is a prominent Kenyan televangelist and head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Kilifi County. The wealthy televangelist was briefly arrested on suspicion of crimes against humanity, as some of Mackenzie's followers were allegedly transferred to his church. The connection is still under investigation. President William Ruto labeled Mackenzie a "terrorist" and announced a crackdown on "apostate" religious organizations. It should be noted, however, that it was the church that enabled Mackenzie's rise to power. The government established a Shakahola task force to investigate the tragedy and recommend reforms. In Kenya, there are renewed efforts to regulate religious organizations—a sensitive issue in a country with a long tradition of religious freedom. Analysts cite poverty, lack of education, social neglect, and psychological manipulation as factors that made people susceptible to Mackenzie's teachings. He offered them a sense of purpose and a seemingly simple solution to the hardships of everyday life. Kenyan cult leader faces charges over 52 further deaths, BBC news