A Kenyan court sentenced cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie to 200 years in prison on Friday for murdering 191 people, including 190 children, in the Shakahola Forest massacre.
Footage from Mombasa shows Mackenzie and his co-accused appearing in court under heavy security as Judge Diana Kavedza delivers the sentence.
“The sentences in subparagraphs A and B shall run consecutively, making an aggregate sentence of 200 years’ imprisonment for convict Mackenzie,” the judge ruled.
His lawyer condemned the punishment as excessive and unconstitutional.
“200 years is actually excessive. It is impractical and it is untenable. It is unconstitutional on its own basis,” defence lawyer Lawrence Obonyo said.
“The court cannot practically speak of 200 years on the head of someone who is already above 50,” he added.
But a victim’s relative welcomed the ruling.
“I am happy and thankful for the two-hundred-year sentence handed down to Mackenzie. It is also a death sentence because he is going to stay there forever and eventually die there,” said Francis Wanje.
The 28 co-accused received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 160 years.
The Shakahola tragedy emerged in 2023 after authorities discovered mass graves linked to Mackenzie’s Good News International Church.
More than 400 bodies were recovered. Prosecutors said followers were ordered to starve themselves and their children to death in the belief they would reach heaven.
Source: Viory
