A Kenyan court has sentenced Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, the leader of Good News International, to 200 years in prison for his role in the murder of 191 people in Shakahola Forest, Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi County. The sentencing was carried out by Justice Diana Kavedza on November 6, 2026. Mackenzie was found guilty of murdering his followers between 2021 and 2023.
The court heard that Mackenzie had radicalized his followers, denouncing formal education, modern medicine, and government identification programs as satanic. He directed them to relocate to the remote "kanisa Jangwani" in Shakahola, where they lived in biblically named villages. The prosecution proved that 190 children and one adult were killed, and the defendants were charged with 183 counts of murder by starvation, eight counts of direct homicide, and one count of adult death.
Mackenzie's followers were instructed to sell their property, quit their jobs, withdraw their children from school, and move to Chakama Ranch. Once there, they were ordered to fast to death in a sequence that began with the children. Those who resisted the fasting directive were met with physical force, including kicks and blows. The regime was enforced through confinement and denial of food and water.
Twenty-six co-accused individuals received prison terms ranging from 10 years for two defendants who pleaded guilty to 160 years for 15 others, with 10 convicts sentenced to 140 years. The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions and including Peter Kiprop, Jami Yamina, and other senior officials, argued that parental duty cannot be invoked to justify the killing of children for religious beliefs.
The killings, which took place between 2021 and 2023, were a result of Mackenzie's extreme ideology. His followers were subjected to inhumane conditions, leading to the deaths of 191 people. The court found Mackenzie guilty of the murders and sentenced him to 200 years in prison.
The case has raised concerns about the influence of radical ideologies in Kenya and the need for authorities to monitor and address such groups. The sentencing of Mackenzie and his co-accused individuals has been seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families.
The Director of Public Prosecutions and his team worked tirelessly to build a strong case against Mackenzie and his co-accused. Their efforts have resulted in a significant conviction and sentence, demonstrating the government's commitment to holding individuals accountable for such heinous crimes.
Key points
- Preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie sentenced to 200 years in prison for murdering 191 followers in Shakahola Forest.
- Mackenzie's radical ideology led to the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children.
- Twenty-six co-accused individuals received prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years.
