Kenyan pastor Paul Mackenzie faces a verdict in the murder of 191 children

Children named in the murder charges

191 children

A Kenyan court is due to rule on murder charges against the doomsday preacher and 29 of his followers, accused of making 191 children starve to death.

All 30 accused pleaded not guilty, saying nobody was forced to die; his former head of security took a plea deal and became a prosecution witness.

Authorities said more than 400 bodies were found in shallow graves in Shakahola forest, near the Kenyan coast, after the first remains were discovered in March 2023.

Other cases against him

• Terrorism
• Radicalization
• Denying children an education

It is Mackenzie's first verdict on murder charges; he also faces cases for terrorism, radicalization and denying children an education.