Kenyan starvation cult leader on trial for manslaughter

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.

Most of the bodies displayed signs of starvation and assault.

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Mackenzie, 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.

He allegedly told his followers they would enter heaven more quickly if they ceased eating.

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.

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Mackenzie is also facing two other trials for alleged child abuse and terrorism offences, which he denies.

He preached that formal education was satanic and used to extort money.

In 2017 and again in 2018, he was arrested for encouraging children not to go to school because he claimed education was "not recognised in the Bible".

He also allegedly encouraged mothers to avoid seeking medical attention during childbirth and not to vaccinate their children.

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.