A doomsday cult chief whom the Kenyan authorities say ordered his congregants to starve themselves to demise was charged on Tuesday, together with 29 others, with the homicide of 191 youngsters — in a case that has drawn world consideration and introduced widespread scrutiny over spiritual freedoms within the East African nation.
The choice, by a court docket within the coastal city of Malindi, was handed down nearly a month after a choose ordered that the cult chief, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, and his co-accused bear psychological well being evaluations earlier than going through any expenses.
Solely one of many suspects was deemed mentally unfit to face trial. Mr. Mackenzie, a pastor, and the opposite accused pleaded not responsible and are scheduled to look earlier than a court docket in early March.
Since final April, a whole bunch of our bodies have been exhumed from the 800-acre Shakahola Forest, the place Mr. Mackenzie and his followers lived, with many buried in shallow graves. Dozens of different followers have been rescued, and a whole bunch extra are lacking, in accordance with native officers.
The nation’s inside minister, Kithure Kindiki, final week declared the pastor’s church, Good Information Worldwide Ministries, “an organized prison group.”
