The Shakahola trial, a chilling saga of faith turned fatal, has reached a pivotal moment, with controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, accused of radicalising over 450 followers into a deadly fast, finally set to step into the witness box to tell his side of the story.
For months, survivors who were members of Mackenzie's Good News International (GNI) church and investigators have painted a harrowing picture of life under the doomsday preacher's influence.
The court heard that the preacher's followers, drawn by promises of spiritual salvation, were allegedly persuaded that extreme fasting would not only bring them closer to Jesus but would also be the only passage to seeing him.
This doctrine later proved fatal for hundreds, whose remains were later exhumed from the expansive Shakahola forest.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku on November 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
After months of shocking testimony and mounting evidence, the Shanzu court ruled that Mackenzie and his 95 accomplices must now explain themselves, setting the stage for one of the most harrowing criminal cases in recent Kenyan history.
The court’s latest ruling has officially placed Mackenzie and his 95 co-accused on the defensive, requiring them to respond to charges of engaging in organised crime and radicalisation.
In a brief but firm decision, the Shanzu court stated that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case, meaning the accused now has a case to answer.
“Without delving into the evidence, I find that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against all the accused persons. I therefore find that all the accused persons have a case to answer,” the magistrate stated, signalling that the next phase of the trial will examine the accused’s explanations and defences.
The ruling does not provide detailed reasons, the court explained, noting that at this stage it was only necessary to determine whether the material before it linked the accused to the alleged crimes.
The prosecution called 96 witnesses, including survivors of the massacre, investigators, and subject experts. These witnesses presented approximately 500 exhibits, ranging from documents to forensic evidence, all pointing to a systematic campaign of radicalisation and coercion.
Preacher Paul Mackenzie (left) is facing 23 counts of murder as crimes against humanity over 52 cult related deaths that occurred in 2025 at Kwa Bi Nzaro forest, Kilifi County.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
Mackenzie and his co-accused, aware of the gravity of the charges, informed the court that they intend to give sworn testimony and call 13 witnesses in their defence.
Sworn testimony will allow them to take an oath and be cross-examined by the prosecution, a process that will test the veracity of their claims against the mounting evidence.
The court heard that among the defence witnesses are seven of the accused themselves, highlighting the high stakes of the trial and the personal accountability each faces.
With this ruling, the court has formally opened the door for Mackenzie and his accomplices to explain their role, or lack thereof, in the tragic events that unfolded in Shakahola forest between 2020 and 2023.
Some of the witnesses who testified were protected witnesses familiar with the events in Shakahola forest that led to the deaths of followers, who included their siblings, parents or spouses.
The church associated with Mackenzie allegedly provided a platform for radicalising hundreds of followers who later perished while observing a deadly fast.
According to the prosecution, the fasting was intended to culminate in the followers and Mackenzie ascending to heaven to meet Jesus.
The court heard that Mackenzie preached that the only way to meet Jesus was through starving oneself to death.
Witnesses described events in the forest and explained how followers were radicalised before agreeing to die from starvation.
They detailed the teachings they received, those responsible, how the messages were delivered, and the locations and dates of these activities in Furunzi, Malindi, before the discovery of mass graves.
Prosecution witnesses described a deliberate and sustained campaign of radicalisation led by Mackenzie through his now outlawed GNI church, culminating in mass deaths in Shakahola forest.
Testimony showed that he spread extremist teachings for more than a decade through television, YouTube, seminars, and WhatsApp, attracting large followings.
Between 2020 and 2023, followers became isolated from society and were urged to abandon education, healthcare, and government institutions. Many relocated to Shakahola, where Mackenzie had acquired 480 acres organised into villages under a strict hierarchy.
Investigators testified that authorities exhumed 426 bodies, with more victims believed to remain unaccounted for.
Some of the 92 persons accused alongside Pastor Paul Mackenzie with 238 Counts of Manslaughter when they appeared before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku on November 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
Evidence showed that fasting evolved from a voluntary act into forced starvation, particularly targeting children and women. Survivors recounted coercion, and medical and forensic findings linked the deaths to starvation.
DNA analysis connected many of the accused to the victims. Experts concluded that Mackenzie distorted biblical teachings to justify the practices, while investigators described the church as an organised criminal group responsible for widespread deaths and suffering.
In this case, Mackenzie, his wife, Rhoda Mumbua Maweu, and 93 others have denied four terror-related offences.
Mackenzie, also known as Mtumishi, Nabii, and Papaa, Ms Maweu, Smart Mwakalama and his wife Mary Kadzo Kahindi, and 28 others face charges of engaging in organised criminal activity that endangered lives and led to the deaths of 429 members and followers.
They also face charges of radicalisation, with the state alleging that they promoted an extreme belief system to facilitate ideologically based violence through fasting to death under the guise of religious change.
Another group, comprising Baron Chahenza and 63 others, faces similar radicalisation charges. The state accuses them of adopting an extreme belief system to facilitate ideologically based violence through fasting to death.
Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie (in pink) is pictured with some of his followers at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa County on May 2, 2023.
Photo credit: File I Nation Media Group
Mackenzie and Mwakalama also face separate charges of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act. The state alleges that they transported members and followers of GNI Ministries between Shakahola forest and Malindi town, endangering their lives.
Mackenzie and his wife face an additional charge of possessing compact discs, DVDs, books, and pamphlets intended to instigate the commission of a terrorist act by endangering the lives of their followers.
The state alleges that these offences were committed in Furunzi, Malindi, on various dates between 2020 and 2023.
