Kenyan cult leader named Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 94 other suspects have been charged with 238 counts of manslaughter for allegedly inciting their followers to starve to death in order to meet Jesus. The cult, known as Good News International Church, was based in coastal Kenya and had a history of extremism and radicalization.
The authorities discovered more than 400 corpses in mass graves in the Shakahola forest near the Indian Ocean, most of whom had died of hunger. Once inside the villages established by Mackenzie, followers were not allowed to leave the area, nor interact within themselves.
The followers were also required to destroy vital documents, i.e national identity cards, birth certificates, certificates of title to property, academic certificates and marriage certificates. Mackenzie, who also faces terrorism charges, is undergoing a mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
