00:00A Kenyan court has found self-proclaimed preacher, Paul McKenzie, and 28 associates guilty of murdering 191 people, including 190
00:10children, in Shakahola Stavishan cult massacre.
00:14For Francis Wanje, who lost eight family members, welcomed the ruling after years of waiting for justice.
00:22It's something that I did not expect because, first, the case has taken so long. From 2023 up to today
00:29is a long period, almost four years now.
00:31And I was not very sure that such a verdict will be made today.
00:36And also considering that there are so many cases here in Kenya that have been conducted and we find that
00:44nothing comes out.
00:45But with this one, now, what has come out is something that has made me happy.
00:52And I know that justice is there for us.
00:56Prosecutors said McKenzie encouraged followers to starve themselves to meet Jesus, with children allegedly targeted first.
01:04That the court has pronounced itself to us, that is the best judgment we'd ever get at the moment.
01:11They are getting a conviction of such a case of many counts, 191 counts, multiple accused persons, and several number
01:22of witnesses.
01:23It's not something that comes that easily.
01:27But McKenzie's defense lawyer said his clients were disappointed and would appeal expressing confidence the verdict could be overturned.
01:37All my clients are a bit surprised and they are disappointed.
01:41They had so much hope because the proceedings brought out a lot of things.
01:46And the proceedings are very detailed.
01:49But in this particular aspect, the proceedings seems not to have gotten to the right side of the judge
01:55because the judge has actually sidelined or not looked at all the proceedings that were there in open court.
02:01We have so much faith that when we appeal, because I've been given instructions to appeal against this one,
02:06we have so much confidence that the verdict will be overturned.
02:11Sentencing is expected on November 6.
02:14McKenzie also faces separate manslaughter and terrorism cases.
