In a deeply troubling case that has captured international attention, Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Church in Kenya, has been found guilty of the murder of 190 children and one adult. The judgement was delivered by Judge Diana Kavedza at the Mombasa High Court on 19 October 2026. The severity of Mackenzie’s crimes has ignited widespread outrage across the country and beyond.
Authorities began investigating Mackenzie in April 2023 after reports regarding the exhumation of numerous bodies from shallow graves located in the Shakahola forest, close to Malindi. This investigation has led to the discovery of over 400 bodies, raising alarming questions about the operations of Mackenzie’s apocalyptic cult. The findings have horrified both locals and global observers, as many of the deceased, mainly children, reportedly died from starvation, suffocation, strangulation, and asphyxia—a tragic reflection of the extremes to which Mackenzie’s followers adhered to his dire teachings.
During the extensive eight-hour judgement session, Judge Kavedza articulated the grim reality faced by many families. She posited that the deaths of the children were viewed by their parents as a form of spiritual fulfilment, stating, “Starvation became the way to heaven as parents watched their children die as a profit of spiritual reward.” This stark observation underscores the manipulative power exercised by Mackenzie over his followers, who believed that their leader was the voice of Jesus on Earth.
Mackenzie transitioned from being a taxi driver in the 1990s to a religious leader, establishing the Good News International Church in 2003. His broadcasts, which gained a following on platforms like YouTube, portrayed him as an oracle of doom, predicting apocalyptic events and promoting the idea that followers must sacrifice themselves, including their children, to achieve salvation. The church’s premises in Furunzi were eventually abandoned in favour of an 800-acre site in Shakahola forest, where many intensified their adherence to Mackenzie’s extreme doctrines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deeply ingrained beliefs of the cult included a rejection of education and modern healthcare, which Mackenzie denounced as “evil.” Amid the devastation, the stories behind some of the victims are particularly harrowing. For instance, 7-year-old Samuel Kirimi and his 9-year-old sister, Hellen Karimi, perished alongside their mother and siblings, all of whom are yet to be identified publicly.
Reports indicate that while some families have suffered unimaginable losses, including eight members for one man, others remain conflicted. Young survivors like Peter Shukrani, who at eight years old was taken to Shakahola by his mother, relayed his continuing love for Mackenzie despite the trauma associated with the cult. “I still love him and he is still my pastor,” stated Shukrani, now 23, reflecting the complex emotional bonds crafted over years of indoctrination.
Mackenzie’s trial officially commenced after his arrest in 2023, where he faced charges alongside his wife and many followers. Some members have since turned state’s evidence; former head of security Enos Amanya Ngala entered into a plea deal to testify against Mackenzie. This collaborative effort, spurred by a human rights organisation alerting authorities, brought some of the surviving members back from the brink.
The total body count associated with the Good News International Church has reached an estimated 429, according to reports from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. Many remain unidentified due to the decomposition of the bodies, highlighting the urgency for further investigation and recovery efforts in Shakahola. As the community grapples with the aftermath, many families are beginning to find solace in the conviction of Mackenzie and other leaders, seeing it as a step towards justice and closure.
Sentencing for Mackenzie is set for 6 November, following a mitigation hearing scheduled on 30 October. Victims’ families await this outcome with bated breath, hoping for justice that may help mend some of the emotional scars left by this traumatic chapter in Kenya’s contemporary history. William Ponda Ngala, who lost multiple family members, expressed a sentiment shared by many: “Finally, as a family, we can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Mackenzie and all those who caused the deaths of my family members have been convicted.”