Mr. McKenzie and 27 of his assistants ordered the cult members to withhold food from their children until they die to "meet Christ." The trial judge came to the conclusion that the deaths were part of an organized and coordinated process based on religious teachings and commandments that required the followers to fast until death.

Mr. McKenzie and 27 of his assistants ordered the cult members to withhold food from their children until they die to "meet Christ." The trial judge came to the conclusion that the deaths were part of an organized and coordinated process based on religious teachings and commandments that required the followers to fast until death.

This self-styled priest was arrested in 2023 after the discovery of more than 400 bodies in shallow mass graves in Shakhula Forest in southeastern Kenya. A tragedy known as one of the deadliest cases involving religious sects in modern history.

Mr McKenzie and his aides have appealed and said they are innocent.