The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie and seven other suspects over 52 new deaths reported in the Kwa Binzaro area of Chakama, Kilifi County.
The eight accused were arraigned in three separate courts and face multiple charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Penal Code and additional murder-related proceedings before the High Court.
They were charged with engaging in organised criminal activity, two counts of radicalisation, two counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act and having an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The prosecution told the court that on diverse dates between January and July 2025, at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County, the accused were members of a radicalised religious sect, Good News International Ministries, described as an organised criminal group whose activities endangered the lives of followers and led to the deaths of at least 52 people.
The court heard that the accused allegedly promoted an extreme belief system by preaching against government authority, adopted extremist doctrines and facilitated the commission of terrorist acts.
They pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma.
The matter will be mentioned on March 4, 2026.
The suspects were later presented before Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Wambo at the Mombasa Law Courts, where the DPP preferred additional charges of manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly killed 29 people on unknown dates between January and July 2025 at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County.
This case is also scheduled for mention on March 4, 2026.
In a separate appearance before Mombasa High Court Judge Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo, the accused were arraigned to face murder charges, but plea taking did not proceed.
Justice Kagendo ordered that all eight suspects undergo a mental assessment at a hospital before a plea can be taken.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant DPP Esther Macharia, Assistant DPP Jami Yamina, Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti, Betty Rubia, Rachael Amala and Alex Ndiema, alongside Prosecution Counsel Yassir Mohammed.
Self-proclaimed pastor Mackenzie was arrested in 2023 after 429 bodies, including children, were exhumed from mass graves in the remote Shakahola forest.
He has been in custody since his arrest. The prosecution has accused him of luring the latest victims to their deaths by writing notes from his prison cell.
Mackenzie has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of manslaughter.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!