The Mombasa High Court has found controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused persons guilty of radicalising their followers, in a case linked to the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children and one adult.
The ruling marks a significant development in the Shakahola massacre case, which shocked Kenya and drew international attention to the activities of Mackenzie and his Good News International Church in Kilifi County.
The victims are linked to the Shakahola Forest tragedy, where hundreds of bodies were discovered in mass graves following investigations into reports of missing people and suspected deaths among followers of the preacher.
Investigators established that followers had been subjected to extremist religious teachings that encouraged dangerous practices, including prolonged fasting, as part of what was presented as a path to salvation. The deaths exposed concerns over the regulation of religious institutions and the protection of vulnerable people, particularly children.
The case has raised questions about the balance between freedom of worship and the state's responsibility to prevent abuse carried out under the guise of religion.
Mackenzie, who has been at the centre of multiple investigations arising from the tragedy, has faced serious criminal allegations over the deaths and the alleged radicalisation of his followers. The proceedings have involved several accused persons suspected of playing different roles in the events surrounding the deaths.
The discovery of the bodies in Shakahola in 2023 triggered a major investigation involving police, forensic experts and other government agencies. The scale of the deaths prompted the government to review how religious organisations are monitored and how authorities respond to reports of harmful teachings and suspected criminal activity within religious groups.
The tragedy also intensified calls for stronger safeguards to protect children from extremist indoctrination and to ensure that allegations of abuse within religious institutions are investigated promptly.
The latest court finding adds to the legal proceedings seeking accountability for the deaths and the alleged exploitation of followers.
**Sentencing on November 6, 2026**
The court is expected to deliver its sentence on November 6, 2026, when the accused persons will learn the penalties to be imposed following the guilty finding.
The sentencing will mark another key stage in the legal process arising from the Shakahola tragedy, which remains one of Kenya's most disturbing cases involving religious extremism and the deaths of children.
