A court in Mombasa is expected to deliver its verdict in the murder trial of self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and his associates, who are accused of the deaths of 191 people in the Shakahola Forest tragedy. The case stems from the discovery of hundreds of bodies in 2023 in the Shakahola Forest area, inland from the coastal town of Malindi. The incident shocked Kenya and attracted international attention, prompting renewed calls for stronger oversight of religious organisations.
Mackenzie and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to 191 murder charges in 2024. The preacher is also facing separate legal proceedings involving manslaughter and terrorism-related charges, which he has denied.
Shakahola Death Toll Exceeds 400
The discovery of mass graves in Shakahola exposed the scale of the tragedy, with the number of recovered bodies increasing as investigations and excavations continued. In 2024, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that the death toll had reached 429. Some victims have yet to be identified, leaving several families without definitive answers about their missing relatives.
In January, Mackenzie was reportedly charged in connection with an additional 52 bodies discovered in a nearby village. The unfolding investigation has made the Shakahola case one of the most significant criminal proceedings in Kenya involving alleged abuse of religious influence.
Prosecution Details Alleged Fasting Scheme
During the trial, the prosecution presented testimony from more than 120 witnesses regarding events that allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2023 at an approximately 800-acre ranch in Shakahola Forest. Prosecutors allege that Mackenzie organised and directed an extreme fasting practice among his followers, telling them that abstaining from food would enable them to meet Jesus. The prosecution has further argued that the activities followed an organised structure in which children were allegedly targeted first, followed by teenagers, women and men.
Evidence presented in court included post-mortem findings and police accounts concerning the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Mackenzie’s defence team has challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing that it relies heavily on circumstantial evidence, hearsay and forensic findings they consider inconclusive. The court’s determination is expected to address the charges and evidence presented during the proceedings.
How the Shakahola Case Came to Light
Mackenzie was arrested in April 2023 after authorities were alerted to suspected deaths and the condition of followers in the Shakahola area. The tip-off reportedly came from a rights group. A subsequent police operation led to the discovery of numerous graves and the recovery of hundreds of bodies. The scale of the operation placed significant pressure on local morgues and forensic teams, at one point forcing authorities to pause excavations because of limited storage capacity.
The discoveries triggered public outrage and intensified scrutiny of religious leaders and institutions operating without adequate oversight. Relatives of the victims are expected to attend the court proceedings, with some travelling from rural communities along Kenya’s coast to follow the case. For many families, the trial represents an important step in seeking accountability and answers about the loss of their loved ones.
Mackenzie’s History With Law Enforcement
Mackenzie established the Good News International Church in 2003 and developed a following through branches in Nairobi and parts of the Kenyan coast. He reportedly announced the closure of the church in 2019, although his activities continued to attract attention from law enforcement authorities.
In 2017, he was arrested over allegations of radicalisation but was later acquitted. He was arrested again in 2019 following the deaths of two children reportedly linked to starvation in Shakahola. The 2023 discoveries brought renewed attention to his activities and prompted a wider examination of how vulnerable followers may be influenced by religious teachings.
Calls for Stronger Regulation of Religious Organisations
The Shakahola tragedy has intensified public debate over religious freedom, accountability and the role of government in monitoring religious institutions. The case has raised concerns about the protection of vulnerable people, the prevention of religiously motivated abuse and the need for authorities to respond promptly when credible warnings emerge.
As the court prepares to deliver its verdict in the murder trial, the proceedings remain closely watched by victims’ families and the wider public. The outcome is expected to be a significant development in a case that has profoundly affected Kenya and renewed calls for measures to prevent similar tragedies.
