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Kenyan court sentences cult leader Paul Mackenzie to 200 years

Deutsche Welle reports that a Kenyan court sentenced Paul Mackenzie to 200 years for murders of 190 children and an adult.

Published Nov 6, 2026 · 13:48 UTC7 reports

The short version

A Kenyan court sentenced cult leader Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for murders of 190 children and an adult.[Deutsche Welle]
The sentence combined 100 years for 183 starvation murder counts with 100 years for eight direct homicide counts.[Deutsche Welle]
More than 400 bodies were found in the Shakahola Forest Massacre, though the charges covered 191 deaths.[Deutsche Welle]
Mackenzie denied forcing followers to starve, and 28 accomplices received prison terms; the story is developing.[Deutsche Welle]

A Kenyan court sentenced Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for the murders of 190 children and an adult.[Deutsche Welle]
Justice Diana Kavedza said the sentence comprised 100 years for 183 counts of murder by starvation and 100 years for eight counts of murder by direct homicide.[Deutsche Welle]
More than 400 bodies were found in what became known as the Shakahola Forest Massacre, while the charges pertained to 191 deaths.[Deutsche Welle]
Paul Mackenzie denied the charges, saying he did not force cult followers to starve.[Deutsche Welle]
A total of 28 accomplices were given various prison sentences for their roles in the deaths.[Deutsche Welle]

Mackenzie denies that he forced followers to starve, so his culpability on the starvation counts is contested.[Deutsche Welle]
The only available source describes the story as developing, and this report comes from a single outlet, so further details have not been independently confirmed.[Deutsche Welle]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.