A Kenyan court has found self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie and his associates guilty of murder in connection with the deaths of 191 people, most of them children.
The verdict marks a major development in the Shakahola cult case, which shocked Kenya after authorities discovered hundreds of bodies buried in a remote forest.
According to Al Jazeera, Mackenzie and his followers were accused of encouraging and enforcing extreme fasting practices that led to widespread deaths.
The case has raised serious concerns about religious exploitation, child protection and the authorities’ ability to identify dangerous groups.
Kenya cult leader convicted in Shakahola case
The court in Mombasa delivered its verdict on Monday, October 19, following a lengthy investigation into the deaths.
Mackenzie and several associates had faced murder charges linked to 191 victims, all but one of whom were children.
Prosecutors accused the group of forcing children to starve as part of teachings that promised they would meet Jesus.
Before the verdict, Mackenzie and his co-defendants had denied wrongdoing.
They also faced separate allegations involving terrorism, radicalisation and preventing children from attending school.
The latest ruling represents an important step in one of Kenya’s most disturbing criminal investigations.
Who is Paul Mackenzie?
Paul Nthenge Mackenzie previously worked as a taxi driver in Nairobi before becoming a religious preacher.
In 2003, he established Good News International Ministries with his wife in the coastal city of Malindi.
The organisation later attracted thousands of followers through its churches and television broadcasts.
Mackenzie used the ministry’s television station, Times TV, to promote his teachings.
According to investigators and former followers, he discouraged formal education, rejected modern medicine and promoted apocalyptic beliefs.
He also encouraged followers to destroy official documents, including birth certificates and identification cards.
Authorities began investigating his activities during the late 2010s.
After his church and television station closed in 2019, Mackenzie moved to Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.
Some followers relocated with him and established a community in the remote area.
How were the Shakahola deaths discovered?
The case came to public attention in 2023 after authorities received information about people living in Shakahola forest.
A man whose wife and daughter had moved to the area alerted officials to concerns about the group.
Police investigations uncovered shallow graves containing numerous bodies.
Officers also found severely malnourished survivors, some of whom reportedly refused food.
Investigators said Mackenzie had encouraged followers to fast until death as part of his religious teachings.
However, postmortem examinations also identified victims who had suffered strangulation or blunt-force injuries.
Authorities reported that some individuals attempting to leave the group had faced violence.
More than 400 deaths linked to cult investigation
The wider Shakahola investigation has been linked to 429 reported deaths.
Many victims were children, while hundreds of other people were reported missing.
Investigators alleged that Mackenzie’s teachings established an order in which different groups of followers were expected to fast.
Children were reportedly targeted first, followed by unmarried women, men and finally religious leaders.
Mackenzie himself was not believed to have participated in the deadly fasting.
In January 2024, authorities charged him with 191 counts of murder.
Kenyan officials also designated Good News International Ministries as an organised criminal group.
The wider investigation has continued alongside the murder proceedings.
Former cult member cooperates with prosecutors
Mackenzie and 34 other individuals faced charges connected to the Shakahola case.
Among them was Enos Amanya Ngala, who previously served as the group’s head of security.
Ngala entered a guilty plea agreement and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
His involvement became part of the broader effort to establish how the group operated and how followers were treated.
During earlier court proceedings, judges also raised concerns about the complexity of the case.
The court urged prosecutors to reduce the number of charges to help accelerate the trial.
Meanwhile, authorities continued investigating additional allegations connected to the organisation.
Further allegations emerge during detention
Mackenzie has faced additional accusations while in custody.
Investigators alleged that he continued communicating with followers through written messages from prison.
Authorities linked those alleged activities to another 52 deaths.
However, these allegations form part of separate investigations and should not be confused with the court’s verdict concerning the 191 victims.
The case has also highlighted the difficulties faced by survivors.
Some rescued followers reportedly continued refusing food after authorities removed them from the forest.
Officials placed several survivors in a rescue centre for monitoring and support.
Kenya faces questions over religious exploitation
The Shakahola case has prompted national debate about how authorities monitor organisations accused of exploiting vulnerable people.
It has also raised concerns about child protection, access to education and the use of religious teachings to justify harmful practices.
The convictions mark an important development for families seeking accountability.
However, investigations into the wider network and additional deaths remain significant.
As legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable communities from coercion, abuse and exploitation.