A Kenyan court on Monday, October 19, found Paul Mackenzie and 28 co-defendants guilty of murder over the deaths of 190 children and one adult in one of the country’s most disturbing cases of religious extremism.
According to “Reuters“, the ruling relates to the activities of Mackenzie, who founded the Good News International Church and allegedly directed followers to starve themselves and their children to death in preparation for the end of the world.
The verdict followed a trial that began in 2023. Mackenzie denied forcing followers to fast to death, but the court found him and his co-defendants guilty of the murder charges.
How the Shakahola Tragedy Unfolded
The case came to national and international attention in 2023 after authorities began investigating reports of deaths in the Shakahola Forest, near the coastal town of Malindi in Kilifi County.
Police subsequently uncovered mass graves and began exhuming bodies from the area. More than 400 bodies have since been recovered, according to “Reuters’ report on the case”
Prosecutors alleged that Mackenzie used extreme religious teachings to persuade followers to stop eating so they could reach heaven before the world ended. The prosecution’s case also described restrictions on access to education and medical care.
The deaths raised questions about whether authorities and community institutions had sufficient safeguards to identify and prevent abuse of vulnerable followers.
Sentencing Expected in November
Mackenzie and his co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2026, Reuters reported. The sentencing will follow the court’s determination of their guilt in the murder case.
The convictions do not conclude every legal matter connected to the deaths. Mackenzie also faces other charges linked to the Shakahola tragedy, including terrorism-related allegations, which he has denied.
The case has renewed debate in Kenya about how to protect freedom of religion while ensuring that religious leaders and organisations are held accountable when their activities put lives at risk.
