The self-styled Kenyan pastor is accused of being behind one of the worst cases of cult-linked mass deaths.
The leader of a Kenyan cult accused of inspiring hundreds followers to starve themselves to death has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter,
Paul Mackenzie was arrested last April when 429 bodies, including children, were dug up from mass graves in Shakahola, an isolated forest about two hours' drive west of the town of Malindi.Body found in search for missing five-year-old in New ZealandMackenzie, a self-titled pastor, fronted court in the coastal city of Mombasa alongside 94 other suspects on Monday, the BBC reports.
The episode is one of the worst-ever cases of cult-linked mass deaths, and prosecutors say it is unique for Kenya. Mackenzie and other defendants will be prosecuted under a law concerning suicide pacts, authorities say.Survivors say an order from Mackenzie stipulated children should be the first to starve themselves. They were followed by unmarried, women, men, and finally, church leaders.Mackenzie is also facing two other trials for alleged child abuse and terrorism offences, which he denies.
Mackenzie was convicted last November of illegally operating a film studio associated with his preaching and distributing films without a valid filming licence and sentenced to a year in prison.
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