From hawking to Shakahola horror: The rise and fall of Pastor Mackenzie

Over 400 bodies were unearthed from Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County after an inquiry into the fatal starvation of two children drew law enforcement to a secluded settlement where adherents practised extreme fasting. The victims comprised many children, drawing national focus to the preaching and actions of the central figure. Paul Nthenge Mackenzie's journey to religious prominence commenced far from the forest.

After relocating to Likoni, Mombasa, he earned his livelihood as a peddler, peddling flour and managing a taxi in Malindi. In 2003, he established Good News International Church, where his sermons increasingly dwelled on the impending apocalypse. Gradually, adherents were discouraged from seeking formal education, utilizing modern medicine and procuring government identification papers.

Some migrated to Shakahola Forest, where fasting materialized as a cornerstone of their religious observance. The fatalities discovered in 2023 precipitated a major criminal trial against Mackenzie and others. The magnitude of the catastrophe materialized in 2023 subsequent to investigations into the starvation deaths of two children leading police to Shakahola Forest.

In April 2023, officers uncovered shallow graves and rescued survivors who were gravely undernourished. As investigators uncovered additional graves and recovered over 400 bodies, many of whom were children, the scale of the tragedy became evident. Survivors recounted a system in which Mackenzie's teachings steered daily life and prompted followers to withhold food, with children also affected by this practice.

The revelations sparked inquiries into how the deaths persisted and whether prior warnings could have averted further loss of life. The investigations also scrutinized the domination exerted over adherents and their access to essentials, encompassing food, education, and medical attention. Mackenzie and his co-defendants were charged with 191 counts of murder in 2024.

On January 2026, former associate Enos Amanya confessed to the same charges. On April 15, 2026, High Court Judge Diana Kavedza-Mochache determined that Mackenzie and 30 co-defendants had a case to answer. On October 19, 2026, the court found Mackenzie guilty of all 191 murder counts, encompassing the deaths of 190 children and one adult.

Sentencing is slated for November 6, 2026. Under Section 203 of the Penal Code, murder pertains to the unlawful killing of another individual with premeditation. Section 204 permits the death penalty, yet the Supreme Court’s 2017 Muruatetu ruling deemed its mandatory application unconstitutional. The court must evaluate the circumstances of the offenses and the individual contributions of those convicted when determining sentence.

Life imprisonment remains a potential outcome, whereas any death sentence would be subject to appeal. Kenya has not executed anyone since 1987. The conviction encompasses the 191 murder counts before the court, but it does not terminate all legal proceedings associated with Shakahola. Ongoing cases involving radicalization, organized crime, and additional fatalities remain unresolved.

These broader investigations have brought attention to the difficulties of identifying and addressing harmful practices within religious contexts, particularly when children rely solely on adults for sustenance, schooling, and healthcare. For investigators and the courts, the remaining cases will explore other dimensions of the events in Shakahola.

For families seeking answers, the conviction represents a significant milestone, while the ongoing legal process persists.