Mombasa High Court: Mackenzie Faces Verdict in 191 Shakahola Murders

• Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 30 co-accused are facing a verdict today, Monday, October 19, 2026, for the murder of 191 children.
• The charges stem from the discovery of mass graves in Kilifi’s Shakahola Forest in April 2023, linked to an alleged starvation cult.
• The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights documented 448 deaths and over 600 missing persons related to the tragedy.
• Justice Diana Kavedza previously ruled a prima facie case existed, leading to the current judgment phase.
• The KNCHR criticized state agencies for failing to act on warnings and called for official accountability and improved survivor support.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, in its detailed report, concluded that the state had demonstrably failed in its duty to protect citizens from harm.

The Mombasa High Court is delivering a critical judgment today, Monday, October 19, 2026, regarding controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 30 co-accused, who face charges for the murder of 191 children. This verdict stems from a harrowing discovery in April 2023, when authorities unearthed mass graves within Kilifi’s Shakahola Forest, exposing the operations of an alleged starvation cult. Followers of Mackenzie’s Good News International Church were reportedly encouraged to fast to death, driven by the belief that this act would lead them to meet Jesus.

The scale of the tragedy became clearer through investigations, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documenting a total of 448 deaths in its "Mashaka ya Shakahola" report, released in March 2024. Beyond those confirmed deceased, more than 600 individuals were reported missing, adding to the profound human cost. Forensic efforts to identify victims and establish the circumstances of their deaths have been challenging, with fewer than 10 percent of the recovered bodies successfully identified and returned to their families for burial.

Justice Diana Kavedza is scheduled to preside over the judgment delivery at 9:00 AM. The prosecution's case against Mackenzie and his co-accused has centered on the argument that they were involved in a common plan that ultimately led to the deaths. In April, Justice Kavedza had already determined that a prima facie case existed, compelling Mackenzie and the other defendants to present their defense.

The trial itself involved extensive testimony from various parties, including survivors who recounted their experiences, relatives of the victims, investigators who led the search and exhumation operations, and forensic experts who analyzed the remains. Key evidence presented included detailed postmortem findings and other material gathered during the comprehensive investigations into the Shakahola deaths. Prosecutors specifically invoked the doctrine of common intention, asserting that the accused acted in concert towards a shared, deadly objective.

Beyond the immediate criminal proceedings, the Shakahola tragedy has instigated a broader examination of religious organizations and the responsiveness of state institutions to allegations of harmful practices. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, in its detailed report, concluded that the state had demonstrably failed in its duty to protect citizens from harm. This failure was attributed to several factors, including missed opportunities to act on early warnings about Mackenzie’s activities, significant delays in initiating investigations, and deficiencies in the support mechanisms provided to both survivors and the affected families.

The KNCHR’s findings underscore a critical need for systemic improvements. The commission specifically called for accountability among officials whose actions or omissions may have contributed to the unfolding tragedy. Furthermore, it advocated for enhanced rehabilitation and support services for the survivors, recognizing the profound and lasting impact of their ordeal. This wider scrutiny aims to prevent similar catastrophes and ensure greater oversight of religious bodies.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM Kenya.