Controversial spokesperson Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his associates are expected to appear before the Mombasa High Court today, Friday, November 6, 2026, to hear the court's ruling on the penalties they will face after being found guilty of the murder of 191 people, including 190 children, in the Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.

The prosecution side, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, has asked the court to impose the death penalty on Mackenzie, citing the gravity of the crime, the number of victims, and his role in causing the deaths of those believers.

In his submission to the court, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Jami Yamina, said a severe penalty should be considered due to the scale of the killings and the profound damage inflicted on the victims' families.

The government also proposed that the other 27 accomplices be sentenced to life imprisonment, stating that they contributed to the execution of the acts that led to those deaths.

However, for another defendant, Enos Amanya Ngala, who admitted involvement in all 191 murders, the prosecution recommended an 11-year prison term together with a specific program to reform his behavior.

MACKENZIE AND HIS 28 CO-ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY

On October 19, 2026, Judge Diana Kavedza of the Mombasa High Court found Mackenzie and his 28 co-accused guilty of 191 counts of murder associated with the deaths of believers in the Shakahola forest.

In its ruling, the court said the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to substantiate the charges against all 29 defendants.

Judge Kavedza determined that Mackenzie was the leader of a strict religious system that persuaded his followers to fast to death, believing they would meet Jesus.

The evidence presented in court showed that children were among the first people forced to fast, followed by teenagers, women and men.

Furthermore, some believers who refused to fast or tried to leave the area were subjected to beatings, confinement and other violent acts.

THE SHAKAHOLA INCIDENT THAT SHOCKED KENYA

The Shakahola scandal rocked headlines across Kenya in April 2023 after police discovered mass graves in the forest located in the Malindi area, Kilifi County.

The subsequent investigation uncovered the deaths of hundreds of people who were followers of the Good News International Ministries church led by Mackenzie.

Mackenzie had been preaching about the end of the world and urging his followers to separate from society, reject formal education and avoid modern health services, claiming these steps would help them attain the kingdom of heaven.

During the investigative operations, authorities seized the bodies of more than 400 people in the Shakahola area. However, 191 were directly linked to the murder charges heard in this case.

Medical examinations showed that some victims died of starvation, while others exhibited signs of asphyxiation, strangulation and head injuries.

MACKENZIE APPEALS TO THE COURT FOR MERCY

Before sentencing, Mackenzie and his associates asked the court to consider their personal circumstances, the time they spent in detention, and the possibility of rehabilitation.

Through their lawyers, the defendants requested a sentence of no more than 10 years in prison. They explained that they had been participating in religious programs and behavioral correction training while in custody.

Mackenzie also asked the court to show compassion, citing the impact the incident has had on families who lost children and property.

However, the prosecution emphasized that a harsh penalty is necessary to reflect the magnitude of the disaster, the victims' rights and the importance of preventing such events from recurring in the country.