Pastor and Followers on Trial for Child Starvation in Kenya

In a shocking manslaughter trial in Mombasa, Kenya, an evangelical pastor, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, faces serious allegations of instructing his followers to abandon education and medical care, leading to the starvation of children. Testimonies from witnesses revealed harrowing accounts, including that of a nine-year-old girl, identified only as EG, who recounted being denied food and water for eight days. She described a chilling atmosphere where children were dressed in funeral attire, as they were expected to die in accordance with the pastor's teachings. EG's testimony highlighted the extreme measures taken by the church members, who believed that starving themselves and their children was a path to meet Jesus in the end times. The trial has drawn significant attention, with the courtroom filled with onlookers eager to hear the details of this disturbing case. Mackenzie, along with 93 other defendants, including church associates and followers, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charges. Earlier this year, the Kenyan government took a decisive step by designating Mackenzie’s church, Good News International Ministries, as an "organized criminal group." This classification underscores the severity of the allegations and the potential implications for the church's operations and its followers. The trial continues to unfold, revealing the tragic consequences of extreme religious beliefs and the impact on vulnerable children within the community.