A former taxi driver who self-proclaimed himself as a pastor urged his followers to starve to death to meet Jesus in one of the world's worst sect-related massacres.
The trial has now begun for Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, accused of terrorism and responsible for the deaths of over 440 people.
The high-profile case was uncovered last spring when the police rescued 15 emaciated congregation members from Mackenzie's church in the Kilifi area in southeastern Kenya. A search effort led to a forest with hundreds of graves.
Starvation appears to have been the main cause of death, but some victims – including children – were strangled or beaten to death, according to autopsy results. According to prosecutors, the crimes took place between 2020 and 2023.
Terror-accused Mackenzie and 95 others charged with murder, manslaughter, and torture related to the deaths have all denied the crimes.
