Justice Diana Rachel Kavedza-Mochache, a seasoned judge with over three decades of experience in Kenya's justice system, has presided over one of the country's most high-profile cases, sentencing Shakahola cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie to 200 years in prison. Mackenzie was convicted of murdering 191 people, including 190 children, in the Shakahola massacre. The sentence was delivered at the High Court in Mombasa on November 6, 2026.
Justice Kavedza's career in the judiciary began in 1993 when she joined as a District Magistrate II. She rose through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate before her appointment as a High Court judge in 2022. Her judicial responsibilities have extended beyond hearing cases, including chairing the National Community Service Orders Committee and leading the Business Premises Rent Tribunal (BPRT).
Kavedza holds both a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Nairobi. She also completed a postgraduate diploma at the Kenya School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1991. Her professional training includes a certificate in Strategic Leadership from the Kenya School of Government and another in Crisis Leadership from Rosewell Academy in the United States.
The Shakahola massacre case drew national attention, with Mackenzie and his associates found guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult inside the Shakahola Forest. The victims died between January 2021 and September 2023 due to a fasting regime promoted within Good News International Church. The court convicted Mackenzie in October 2026, paving the way for the 200-year sentence.
Beyond the Shakahola massacre trial, Justice Kavedza has presided over several other high-profile cases, including the murder trial of Albert Ojwang, the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire case, and the murder case of Nairobi lawyer Matthew Kyalo Mbobu. These cases have added to her experience in handling complex criminal proceedings involving serious offences.
During her time at the Kahawa Counter-Terrorism Court, Kavedza handled proceedings involving two men accused of facilitating the January 2019 DusitD2 hotel terrorist attack in Nairobi. The two were eventually convicted of aiding the attackers and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Her experience in handling terrorism-related cases has contributed to her reputation as a no-nonsense judge.
Justice Kavedza's sentence in the Shakahola massacre case has brought her to the centre of national attention, highlighting her long career in Kenya's justice system. Her commitment to upholding the law and delivering justice in high-profile cases has earned her recognition and respect within the legal community and beyond.
Key points
- Justice Diana Kavedza handed down a 200-year prison sentence to Paul Mackenzie for murdering 191 people in the Shakahola massacre.
- Kavedza has over three decades of experience in Kenya's justice system, having joined the Judiciary in 1993.
- The judge has presided over several high-profile cases, including terrorism-related trials and murder cases involving prominent individuals.
