Kenya starvation cult: Paul Mackenzie jailed for 200 years over Shakahola deaths

A court in Kenya has sentenced Paul Mackenzie, the leader of a doomsday church whose followers starved to death in the Shakahola forest, to 200 years in prison.

Justice Diana Kavedza of the High Court in Mombasa found the self-proclaimed pastor of the Good News International Church guilty of the murders of 190 children and an adult, who all died after he ordered them to starve. The sentence is made up of two 100-year terms, one for causing deaths by starvation and one for direct killing. Mackenzie had denied the charges.

Kenyan authorities say more than 400 people died in what became known as the Shakahola massacre, one of the worst cult tragedies in modern history. Mackenzie told his followers that starving themselves would take them to heaven before the end of the world.

In October, 28 of his helpers were convicted and given various prison terms. The court heard that they threatened and beat people to make sure they did not eat.

The case shocked Kenya and led to calls for tighter rules on religious groups.