https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231202/kenyan-starvation-cult-founder-jailed-for-a-year-and-half-for-unlicensed-film-production-1063904937.html
Kenyan Starvation Cult Founder Jailed for a Year and Half for Unlicensed Film Production
Kenyan Starvation Cult Founder Jailed for a Year and Half for Unlicensed Film Production
Sputnik Africa
In April, Kenya was shocked by news of the discovery of numerous graves in the Shakahola forest in the eastern part of the country. Authorities revealed that... 02.12.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-12-02T10:31+0100
2023-12-02T10:31+0100
2023-12-02T10:31+0100
sub-saharan africa
kenya
east africa
william ruto
shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult)
religious cult
crime
death toll
starvation
court
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A self-proclaimed pastor, Paul Mackenzie, founder of a religious cult in which 429 people starved to death to "meet Jesus Christ," was sentenced by a Kenyan court to one year in prison for producing films without a valid license.He received an extra six months in prison for broadcasting the films on a gospel TV channel to the public without a valid operating license.The judge noted that even though the defendant said he did not know he had to obtain a broadcast license, "ignorance of the law is no defense."Local media added that Mackenzie was convicted and fined for a similar offense in 2017.The pastor was arrested on April 14 after authorities toured the notorious Shakahola forest and launched an investigation into the deaths of his devotees. The same month, police began exhuming bodies from shallow graves in the remote forest.In May, prosecutors announced that Mackenzie would be charged with terrorism.In May, President William Ruto formed a government commission of inquiry into the deaths of hundreds of people related to the religious cult. Ruto also vowed to crack down on "unacceptable" religious movements. In August, Kenyan authorities interdicted five churches allegedly linked to the incident, including that of Mackenzie.As for the latest progress in the investigation, at the end of November, the commission identified the names of about 131 children who died in the forest.In 2019, Mackenzie was also accused of brainwashing and abducting children to join his group, as well as being involved in the deaths of two children who died of starvation and suffocation and were later buried in a shallow grave in the Shakahola forest. However, the former taxi driver was released on bail.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231121/kenyas-shakahola-forest-incident-names-of-131-child-victims-identified-local-media-report-1063691238.html
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kenya, east africa, william ruto, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), religious cult , crime, death toll, starvation, court, prison
kenya, east africa, william ruto, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), religious cult , crime, death toll, starvation, court, prison
Kenyan Starvation Cult Founder Jailed for a Year and Half for Unlicensed Film Production
In April, Kenya was shocked by news of the discovery of numerous graves in the Shakahola forest in the eastern part of the country. Authorities revealed that the deceased were members of the Good News International Church, led by Paul Mackenzie, who told his followers to starve themselves to get to heaven.
A self-proclaimed pastor, Paul Mackenzie, founder of a religious cult in which 429 people starved to death to "meet Jesus Christ," was sentenced by a Kenyan court to one year in prison for producing films without a valid license.
He received an extra six months in prison for broadcasting the films on a gospel TV channel to the public without a valid operating license.
"The accused is found guilty as charged and is hereby sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment respectively. The accused has 14 days to file an appeal," the judge said.
The judge noted that even though the defendant said he did not know he had to obtain a broadcast license, "ignorance of the law is no defense."
Local media added that Mackenzie was convicted and fined for a similar offense in 2017.
The pastor was arrested on April 14 after authorities toured the notorious Shakahola forest and launched an investigation
into the deaths of his devotees. The same month, police began exhuming bodies from shallow graves in the remote forest.
In May, prosecutors announced that Mackenzie
would be charged with terrorism.
Kenyan media have dubbed the tragedy the "Shakahola massacre". Many cult members are believed to have starved to death, but other victims, including children, were beaten or strangled, and some victims reportedly had their organs removed.
In May, President William Ruto formed a government commission of inquiry into the deaths of hundreds of people related to the religious cult. Ruto also vowed to crack down on "unacceptable" religious movements. In August, Kenyan authorities
interdicted five churches allegedly linked to the incident, including that of Mackenzie.
As for the latest progress in the investigation, at the end of November, the commission identified the names of about 131 children who died in the forest.
In 2019, Mackenzie was also accused of brainwashing and abducting children to join his group, as well as being involved in the deaths of two children who died of starvation and suffocation and were later buried in a shallow grave in the Shakahola forest. However, the former taxi driver was released on bail.
