A Kenyan court has sentenced Paul Mackenzie, the leader of Good News International Ministries, to 200 years in prison for his involvement in the deaths of 191 people, mostly followers of his church, who died in the Shakahola forest in eastern Kenya. The sentencing was carried out on November 6, 2026, after a trial that was closely followed by the families of the victims and other stakeholders. Mackenzie was found guilty of playing a role in the deaths of the victims, who were mostly his followers.
Mackenzie's church, Good News International Ministries, was at the center of a controversy in 2023 when Kenyan security forces discovered mass graves in the Shakahola forest, where hundreds of his followers had died due to starvation and other forms of abuse. The church's teachings, which included discouraging followers from seeking medical attention and sending children to school, were deemed to be the cause of the deaths. Mackenzie and 28 others were charged with various crimes related to the deaths.
The court found Mackenzie guilty of starving his followers to death and directly causing the deaths of eight people. Judge Diana Kavedza sentenced him to 100 years in prison for the starvation-related deaths and another 100 years for the direct killings. Mackenzie had claimed that his followers had chosen to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus" before the end of the world, but the court rejected this defense.
The investigation into the Shakahola forest deaths revealed a total of 448 bodies, far more than the initial 191 reported. Mackenzie is also set to face another trial for his alleged role in the deaths of 52 other people. His co-defendants, including Smart Mwakalama, were sentenced to various prison terms, with Mwakalama receiving a 160-year sentence.
Mackenzie's case has drawn widespread attention in Kenya, where he was once a popular televangelist. His church's teachings and practices were widely criticized, and his arrest and prosecution were seen as a major step towards holding him accountable for the harm caused to his followers.
The Kenyan government has vowed to take action against other televangelists and church leaders who engage in similar practices. The case has also raised questions about the regulation of churches and religious organizations in Kenya, with some calling for stricter oversight to prevent similar abuses in the future.
As Mackenzie begins his 200-year prison sentence, his followers and supporters are left to grapple with the consequences of his actions. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.
Key points
- Paul Mackenzie was sentenced to 200 years in prison for his role in the deaths of 191 people in the Shakahola forest.
- The court found Mackenzie guilty of starving his followers to death and directly causing the deaths of eight people.
- The investigation into the Shakahola forest deaths revealed a total of 448 bodies.
