Branham Cult Mass Suicide - Pastor Paul Mackenzie Good News International Church

Paul Nthenge Mackenzie was the pastor of the Good News International Church in Kenya, a "Message" church based upon the teachings of William Branham. Mackenzie "brainwashed" his converts[1] using William Branham's End of Days theology, and convinced them that starvation could hasten their escape from this life to be with Jesus.

In the cult, people were allegedly encouraged to fast to death to make it to heaven. The controversial Malindi preacher Paul Mackenzie of Good News International has been preaching to his followers to fast and pray for several days and eventually, a number of them have died due to hunger.[2]
- The Star (Kenya)

According to detectives in the homicide unit in Kenya, the cult began forming mass graves for victims who starved themselves to death under Mackenzie's instructions. On April 19, 2023, detectives found one person buried alive in a grave, and an informant told them there were other graves containing as many as 31 bodies.[3] Police found 15 emaciated parishioners on church grounds, four of which died after the group was taken to the hospital.[4] In all, twelve shallow graves were discovered in Kilifi County.[5]

Police officials said investigators received a tip that dozens of people were starving to death after their pastor told them it was a way to meet Jesus. Most of the followers could not walk or talk when officers found them.The pastor of Good News International Church, Paul Makenzi, surrendered Friday to police in the town of Malindi.[6]
- CBS News

References

[1] Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave. 2023, Apr, 19. The Star (Kenya). Accessed 2023, Apr, 20 from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-04-19-cult-victim-found-alive-after-three-days-in-malindi-grave/. "2023/19/04 Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave The Star (Kenya). Accessed 2023, Apr 20 from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-04-19-cult-victim-found-alive-after-three-days-in-malindi-grave/ The Star (Kenya). Accessed 2023, Apr 20 from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-04-19-cult-victim-found-alive-after-three-days-in-malindi-grave/."

[2] Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave. "Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave"

[3] Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave. 2023, Apr, 19. The Star (Kenya). Accessed 2023, Apr, 20 from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-04-19-cult-victim-found-alive-after-three-days-in-malindi-grave. "2023/19/04 Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave Detectives under the homicide unit have found one person alive after exhuming a grave linked to Shakahola church members. The body has been unearthed in the Chakama area after an informer who was an insider in the church alleged that there is a mass shallow grave of victims totalling to 31 bodies Detectives under the homicide unit have found one person alive after exhuming a grave linked to Shakahola church members. The body has been unearthed in the Chakama area after an informer who was an insider in the church alleged that there is a mass shallow grave of victims totalling to 31 bodies."

[4] Emaciated followers found at Kenyan pastor's property; 4 dead. 2023, Apr, 15. CBS News. Accessed 2023, Apr, 20 from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/15-emaciated-followers-found-at-kenyan-pastors-property-4-died/. "2023/15/04 Emaciated followers found at Kenyan pastor's property; 4 dead Police in coastal Kenya found 15 emaciated parishioners on the property of a church pastor, and four of the people died after the group was rescued and taken to a hospital, authorities said Police in coastal Kenya found 15 emaciated parishioners on the property of a church pastor, and four of the people died after the group was rescued and taken to a hospital, authorities said."

[5] Wanjohi, John. Detectives Discover 12 Shallow Graves as Probe into Pastor Paul Mackenzie's 'Cult' Intensify. 2023, Apr, 19. Mwakilishi. Accessed 2023, Apr, 20 from https://www.mwakilishi.com/article/kenya-news/2023-04-19/detectives-discover-12-shallow-graves-as-probe-into-pastor-paul. "2023/19/04 Wanjohi, John. Detectives Discover 12 Shallow Graves as Probe into Pastor Paul Mackenzie's 'Cult' Intensify"

[6] Emaciated followers found at Kenyan pastor's property; 4 dead. 2023, Apr, 15. CBS News. "2023/15/04 Emaciated followers found at Kenyan pastor's property; 4 dead CBS News CBS News."