A court in Mombasa, Kenya, has sentenced the leader of a religious sect to 200 years in prison following his conviction on charges related to the deaths of 191 people. The sentence comprises 100 years for deaths by starvation and an additional 100 years for direct homicide.
According to prosecutors, the sect operated under teachings that members should fast unto death to reach heaven before the world ended. The organization, known as Good News International, allegedly required followers to abstain from food, with accomplices using threats and violence to enforce obedience. The remains of victims, predominantly children, were discovered in shallow graves and other burial sites within the Shakahola forest in southeastern Kenya.
Authorities began investigating after receiving a tip in 2023, leading to the arrest of the sect leader, a former taxi driver. Subsequent excavations in the forest uncovered more than 400 bodies, though severe decomposition made identification possible in only 26 cases. The leader maintained his innocence regarding murder charges, claiming he did not compel victims to starve themselves, an argument the court rejected.
The discovery of the mass graves drew significant attention in Kenya, prompting scrutiny into how the organization continued operating despite coming under official observation beginning in 2017. A church closure order was issued in 2019, after which the group relocated to the forest. The case has sparked discussions about strengthening regulatory oversight of religious organizations in the country.
Additional charges remain under investigation, including terrorism allegations and responsibility for deaths in another location. The leader has denied these charges, and cases related to more than 200 additional deaths continue to be examined.
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