Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 28 co-accused are expected to learn their fate on Friday, November 6, following their conviction over the deaths of 191 people in the Shakahola massacre.
The sentencing is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Mombasa, marking another major development in one of Kenya’s most disturbing cases involving religious extremism.
The 29 accused persons were found guilty of 191 counts of murder on October 19, 2026, following a lengthy trial that examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths of followers associated with Mackenzie’s Good News International Church.
The victims comprised 190 children and one adult.
Court found organised system behind deaths
In its judgment, Lady Justice Diana Kavedza found that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.
The court established that followers had been subjected to extreme religious teachings and forced fasting, with children reportedly targeted first.
Investigations into the tragedy began after authorities received information about suspected deaths and missing people at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.
Subsequent operations led to the discovery and exhumation of hundreds of bodies from shallow graves in the forest.
The case attracted international attention, raising serious questions about religious radicalisation, the protection of vulnerable followers and the regulation of religious institutions in Kenya.
Prosecution seeks harsh punishment
During sentencing submissions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina urged the court to impose the death penalty on Mackenzie, citing the seriousness of his role in the killings.
The prosecution also proposed life imprisonment for 27 of the co-accused, arguing that their involvement and the magnitude of the crimes warranted severe punishment.
The state further suggested consecutive sentences should the court decline to impose life imprisonment, maintaining that each of the 191 deaths represented a separate murder offence.
The prosecution also asked the court to consider the individual responsibility of each accused person when determining the appropriate sentences.
A major moment for victims’ families
The sentencing is expected to mark a significant moment for families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy.
The Shakahola massacre shocked the country in 2023 after the discovery of mass graves exposed the scale of the deaths linked to the religious group.
The case has since remained a subject of national debate, particularly regarding how vulnerable individuals can be protected from dangerous religious teachings.
As the court prepares to deliver its sentencing decision, attention remains focused on the punishment that will be handed to Mackenzie and his co-accused following their convictions.
