Kenyan court convicts preacher in Shakahola starvation deaths of 190 children

A Kenyan court has convicted Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Ministries church, of murdering 190 children and one adult in connection with mass starvation deaths discovered in the Shakahola Forest. The case became one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings in Kenya's recent history after investigators discovered hundreds of bodies in the forest. Many of those who died are believed to have starved to death after followers were reportedly instructed to fast as part of the group's religious practices. The Shakahola Forest discoveries shocked Kenya and attracted global attention to the activities of fringe religious movements operating with little oversight. The scale of the death toll, ultimately encompassing hundreds of victims including a large number of children, prompted calls for stricter regulation of religious organisations in the country. The conviction marks a significant moment of accountability following a lengthy investigation and trial process. Further details on sentencing and any additional charges against Mackenzie or his associates were not immediately available.