Shakahola Massacre: Court set to deliver judgement Monday

On October 19, 2026, the Mombasa Law Courts are set to announce the verdict in the high-profile case of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his 35 co-accused. The court hearing, scheduled for 9 am, has been postponed from October 16 due to Lady Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache's prior commitment. The case, Case No. E003 of 2024, centers around 191 murder charges against the self-proclaimed preacher and his followers, linked to the deaths of children exhumed from mass graves in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County. The alleged crimes occurred between January 2021 and September 2023.

During the trial, Justice Kavedza ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against all 31 accused persons. The prosecution provided extensive evidence, including testimonies from 121 witnesses, such as survivors, expert witnesses, and investigating officers. Exhibits included postmortem reports and analysis from government analysts.

The defense argued that it was not disputed that bodies, including those of children, were exhumed from the Shakahola forest. Several relatives of the victims testified, confirming their children's deaths as reported. Witnesses placed several accused persons near the scene, describing their roles in the settlement, such as village elders, guards, grave diggers, and cooks.