High Court convicts controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and 30 followers of 191 murders in Shakahola

High Court convicts controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and 30 followers of 191 murders in Shakahola - The High Court in Mombasa has convicted Paul Mackenzie (right) and 30 followers of 191 counts of murder in the Shakahola massacre. (Photo: ODPP Kenya)

The court ruled that Mackenzie ordered followers to starve themselves and their children to death, rejecting claims that the victims voluntarily fasted to death.

Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 30 of his followers have been convicted of 191 counts of murder in the Shakahola massacre, in a major breakthrough in the prosecution of one of Kenya’s deadliest religious cult cases.

The High Court in Mombasa, presided over by Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache, found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, rejecting the defence argument that the victims had voluntarily fasted to death.

In her judgment, Justice Mochache found that Mackenzie instructed his followers to starve themselves and their children to death, with some of his co-accused enforcing his orders.

The judge began reading the judgment at 9.30 am and continued until 6.29 pm, detailing evidence of killings and child abuse at Shakahola and outlining how the prosecution linked Mackenzie’s instructions to the deaths.

Mackenzie, the first accused, appeared deep in thought as Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache delivered the judgment at the Mombasa High Court.

The court heard evidence that victims died from starvation and other causes, including asphyxia, manual strangulation and suffocation.

Latest Stories

  • Sonko wants impeachment overturned after Supreme Court upholds misconduct findings against former judge
  • IGAD, partners launch regional training to tackle shortage of animal health laboratory auditors
  • COP17 puts governments on the spot over failure to halt global biodiversity loss by 2030
  • India delivers 11 tonnes of emergency medical supplies to bolster Kenya’s defences against Ebola

Justice Mochache also found that victims, including children, were subjected to physical and mental torture under an organised system of control.

The court rejected the argument that the deaths were simply the result of religious fasting, finding that evidence of direct killings and violence formed part of a wider attack against the civilian population at Shakahola in Kilifi County.