Kenyan police rescue eight children reportedly forced to fast before cult trial
Dan Mackenzie, the eldest son of Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie, says his younger siblings were still being made to fast shortly before their father’s trial. After reporting the situation to police, he says officers rescued eight children from his grandmother’s home, including his five younger siblings. His account highlights concerns about children still exposed to the cult’s teachings after a mass-starvation case.
Paul Mackenzie was found guilty of murdering 191 people, including 190 children, who starved to death in Shakahola forest after he urged followers to fast to meet Jesus; 28 other cult leaders were also convicted. Dan, 27, says he was made to fast as a child and left school aged seven because education was forbidden. More than 400 bodies were found in the forest, and Mackenzie is due to be sentenced on 6 November.
- Dan Mackenzie says his siblings were still being made to fast.
- Police rescued eight children after his report.
- Paul Mackenzie was convicted of 191 murders.
New here? Start with this
Paul Mackenzie led a religious group in Kenya whose followers were told to fast to meet Jesus. More than 400 bodies were found in Shakahola forest, and a court found Mackenzie guilty of murdering 191 people, including 190 children; 28 other group leaders were also convicted.
Mackenzie’s eldest son, Dan, says he was made to fast as a child and left school aged seven because education was forbidden. His account has drawn attention to how children may remain exposed to the group’s teachings, and to concerns about their safety and welfare.
Africa Celebrity Entertainment World
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by BBC World as “Kenya cult leader’s children still being starved weeks before trial, son says”.