Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 28 co-accused have been found guilty of all 191 murder counts linked to the Shakahola tragedy, in a landmark ruling delivered by the High Court on Monday, October 19, 2026.
The judgment marks a significant development in one of Kenya’s most devastating cases, which came to light in 2023 following the discovery of mass graves in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County.
Justice Diana Kavedza ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against all 29 accused persons beyond reasonable doubt, holding them responsible for the deaths of 190 children and one adult.
The case centered on allegations that Mackenzie, a self-proclaimed preacher, used extreme religious teachings to persuade followers to fast to death in the belief that they would reach heaven.
Court Rejects Claims That Followers Fasted Voluntarily
During the proceedings, the court rejected the defence argument that the victims had voluntarily participated in the deadly fasting practices.
According to the prosecution’s case, followers were subjected to a structured system of religious radicalization and enforced fasting, with children among those who suffered the most.
The judge found that the accused had participated in a system that directed and sustained the practices that led to the deaths.
The prosecution presented testimony from numerous witnesses during the trial, seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the individual roles played by the accused.
The ruling marked a major milestone in the criminal proceedings, which have drawn national and international attention because of the scale of the tragedy.
Shakahola Tragedy Left Hundreds Dead
The shocking discoveries in Shakahola Forest emerged in 2023 when authorities began exhuming bodies from shallow graves on land associated with Mackenzie’s followers.
Investigators subsequently recovered more than 400 bodies, exposing the devastating consequences of the activities linked to the religious group.
The victims included children and adults who had settled in the forest after following Mackenzie’s teachings. The case raised serious questions about the protection of vulnerable people and the oversight of religious organizations in Kenya.
Authorities have continued investigating other deaths connected to the wider tragedy, meaning the 191 murder counts represent only part of the cases associated with Shakahola.
Mackenzie Awaits Sentencing After Conviction
Mackenzie and his co-accused are expected to return to court for sentencing following their convictions. The sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2026.
The ruling is a major step towards accountability for the victims and their families, many of whom have endured years of uncertainty following the discovery of the mass graves.
However, the proceedings do not mark the end of the wider Shakahola investigations, with other cases and allegations linked to the tragedy remaining separate from the murder verdict.
The case has renewed calls for stronger safeguards against religious exploitation and for authorities to act swiftly when warning signs of abuse emerge.
For the families affected, the convictions represent a significant development in the pursuit of justice for those who lost their lives in the Shakahola tragedy.
