A Kenyan court has sentenced doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for the deaths of 191 followers, including 190 children, who were allegedly ordered to starve themselves to death in the belief that they would meet Jesus.

Mackenzie was convicted in October alongside 28 co-defendants over the killings in Shakahola Forest.

Delivering judgment, Justice Diana Mochache said he bore primary responsibility for directing the deadly fasting, handing him 100 years for homicide and another 100 years for starvation-related offences.

The sentences will run consecutively, bringing his total prison term to 200 years, while his co-defendants received jail terms of up to 160 years.