Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who founded the Good News International Church in 2003, has been accused of inciting cult followers to starve themselves to death to meet Jesus. Mackenzie appeared in the dock alongside other co-accused at the Malindi court.
The trial will shed light on the alleged cult activities that led to the tragic deaths of so many individuals. It is a somber reminder of the dangers of extremist ideologies and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from such harmful influences.
Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a self-proclaimed pastor who established the Good News International Church in 2003, made an appearance in the Malindi courtroom.
He stands accused of urging his followers to refrain from eating to “meet Jesus.” The courtroom was filled with family members of the victims who perished as a result of Mackenzie’s alleged actions. Mackenzie, dressed in a pink and black jacket with brown trousers, was escorted into the courtroom by a group of six police officers, along with eight other defendants.
After a brief hearing, the case was moved to the high court in Kenya’s second-largest city of Mombasa, where the suspects will face terrorism charges, prosecutor Vivian Kambaga told AFP. Nearly 109 people have so far been confirmed dead, most of them children.