A significant ruling has emerged from a Kenyan court as Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 28 others were found guilty of their involvement in the tragic deaths of 191 individuals, including 190 children, during the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi County. The Mombasa High Court delivered the verdict on October 16, 2026, with Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache presiding over the case.

The court's judgment revealed that the deaths were the result of a systematic approach that utilized religious doctrines to enforce deadly fasting practices among followers. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the convictions, describing the ruling as a landmark development in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the followers were coerced into moving to Shakahola, where extreme fasting was enforced in phases, beginning with children. Testimonies from 123 witnesses, including child victims, played a crucial role in the prosecution's case. These accounts were further substantiated by digital recordings, forensic reports, DNA analysis, and expert testimony.

Investigators conducted thorough examinations of crime scenes, documenting bodies recovered from both homesteads and mass graves. Medical findings revealed that 76 victims succumbed to starvation, among other causes identified through 190 postmortem examinations. The court also concluded that Mackenzie’s church, Good News International Church, which he founded in 2010, operated as a cult, promoting beliefs that discouraged medical treatment and education while advocating extreme fasting as a means to attain salvation.

The DCI commended the investigative team's efforts, highlighting their meticulous work in documenting crime scenes, conducting exhumations, and preserving evidence, which laid a solid foundation for the administration of justice. The agency expressed satisfaction with the verdict, recognizing it as a critical step towards ensuring accountability for those responsible for such heinous acts.

In its statement, the DCI emphasized the importance of comprehensive investigations and forensic expertise in prosecuting serious crimes, reinforcing the message that justice will be served for the victims of the Shakahola massacre. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extremist beliefs and the need for vigilance against such practices in society.