Kenya: the leader of a sect convicted of the murder of 191 people

Kenya The self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and 28 of his followers were found guilty of the murder of 191 people, mainly children, by a Mombasa court, in Kenya. They were being prosecuted in connection with the Shakahola massacre, a case that deeply shocked the country after the discovery of hundreds of bodies in mass graves in 2023. This is a highly anticipated verdict in Kenya, nearly three years after the discovery of one of the worst tragedies related to a religious sect in the country. Paul Mackenzie, a former pastor and founder of the International Church of Good News (Good News International Church), was found guilty of murder, on Monday, along with 28 other accused. The Mombasa court found that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to establish their responsibility for the deaths of 190 children and one adult. "I am convinced that the prosecution has proven the facts alleged against the 29 accused for the murder of 190 children and one adult," the judge stated upon announcing the verdict. Paul Mackenzie remained impassive in the accused's box. Worshipping followers driven to starvation to "meet Jesus" The case dates back to April 2023, when Kenyan authorities discovered dozens of bodies buried in the Shakahola forest, located inland near the coastal town of Malindi. Investigations then revealed the existence of a religious community led by Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly convinced his followers to fast to death to "meet Jesus." According to the prosecution, the preacher had established an organized system of extreme fasting on a property of about 325 hectares. Investigators mention a real "hierarchy of death," in which the children were supposed to die first, followed by adolescents, women, and then men. Autopsies revealed that the majority of the children had died of starvation. However, some also showed signs of asphyxiation, neck compression, or skull trauma, according to the conclusions of forensic doctors and police reports. More than 400 bodies discovered in the Shakahola forest The scale of the tragedy gradually revealed itself throughout the search operations. Alerted by a human rights organization, the authorities launched an intervention in April 2023, allowing for the rescue of several still-living followers. Investigators then discovered hundreds of shallow graves scattered in the forest. The number of bodies exhumed rapidly increased, forcing the authorities to temporarily suspend the searches, as local morgues reached capacity. In 2024, the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission reported 429 deaths. Some victims have still not been identified. In January 2026, Paul Mackenzie was also indicted in another proceeding concerning the discovery of an additional 52 bodies in a neighboring village. Families of victims seeking justice Several relatives of the victims traveled to the Mombasa court to attend the verdict. Among them was Francis Wanje, 62, who lost eight family members in the Shakahola massacre, including his daughter and two of his grandchildren. "This day is very, very important to me," he confided to the AFP before the hearing began. He hoped for a exemplary decision, capable of preventing such a tragedy from happening again. For many families, this trial represents an important step in their quest for justice, but it also reignites questions about the inaction of the authorities in the face of the preacher's actions. A preacher already known to the justice system Paul Mackenzie was not unknown to Kenyan security services before the discovery of the mass graves. As the founder of the Good News International Church in 2003, he gradually developed his religious movement, establishing communities in Nairobi and along the Kenyan coast. His organization attracted thousands of followers before he claimed to have closed his church in 2019. In 2017, the preacher was arrested for accusations of radicalization but was ultimately acquitted. Two years later, he was again detained in a case related to the deaths of two children in Shakahola before being released on bail. These previous arrests, which did not prevent the continuation of his activities, sparked strong criticism against the authorities. Kenya facing the issue of regulating religious organizations The Shakahola massacre caused a shockwave in Kenya, a country where religious movements, particularly evangelical ones, hold an important place in society. Since the discovery of the first victims, several voices are calling for a strengthening of surveillance mechanisms for religious organizations to prevent sectarian deviations and abuses committed in the name of faith. The case also raises questions about the responsibility of public institutions, accused of not reacting early enough to the warning signs concerning Paul Mackenzie. The preacher still has to answer other accusations, including involuntary homicide and terrorism, in separate judicial proceedings. He disputes these charges. While the Mombasa verdict marks a major step in the judicial handling of the Shakahola massacre, it does not end the questions about the failures that allowed this tragedy to occur.