In the Malindi High Court, Paul Mackenzie, the head of the "hunger sect," and 29 witnesses are brought before the judge, facing charges of orchestrating the murder of 191 children in Kenya.
Mackenzie's lawyers argue that the criminal charges against their client lack substantial evidence, and they claim that multiple crimes are listed in a single indictment document, SIA reports with reference to foreign media.
The defense attorneys are urging a dismissal of some of the charges.
Prosecutor Victor Mule, opposing the requests of Mackenzie's defense, asserts in court that there is ample concrete evidence against the suspects. Mule is pushing for the death penalty for the accused based on the charges related to the alleged mass murders.
The decision of the Malindi High Court is set to be announced on May 17.
Recall that in February 2024, the prosecutor's office brought charges against the leader of the sect and 29 other suspects in connection with the sect, including allegations of "terrorism," "manslaughter due to negligence," and "torture."
Pastor Paul Mackenzie of the International Good News Church claimed that through fasting, they could reach "Jesus" and promised followers that they could join him. This led to the deaths of many people from starvation, prompting an investigation in April 2023.
A total of 429 bodies were discovered in the Shakahola forest where the church was located, resulting in the initiation of a criminal case involving the deaths of 238 adults and 191 children.
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