Paul Mackenzie sentenced to 200 years in prison
Lady Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache reads the sentence before the High Court in Mombasa in a Case where Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 28 other Suspects were Convicted over 191 deaths of Children in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County in this photo taken on 6th November 2026. Mackenzie was jailed to 200 years imprisonment for the crimes he committed.
Text: Faith Kerubo
Photos: Kevin Odit
Cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie has been handed a 200-year prison sentence. This penalty was imposed for his direct involvement in the tragic deaths within the confines of the Shakahola Forest. The heinous crimes, which spanned a period from January 2021 to September 2023, revealed a dark chapter of manipulation and abuse.
The pronouncement of the sentence came from the Mombasa High Court, which meticulously detailed two distinct 100-year terms. This differentiation in sentencing reflected the varied and equally horrific methods by which the victims met their untimely demise. A vast majority of the victims succumbed to starvation, a slow and agonizing death orchestrated under Mackenzie's sinister influence.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie.
Charles Kalume Charo listen to his sentence before the High Court in Mombasa in a Case where him and 29 Other Suspects Convicted over 191 deaths of Children in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County in this photo taken on 6th November 2026. He was jailed to 160 years impriosn for the crimes he committed.
Enos Amanya, a Follower of the Controversial Preacher of Pastor Paul Mackenzie and who Pleaded Guilty to the Man Slaughter Charges of 238 deaths in Shakahola Forest in this photo taken on 25th February 2026.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie (left) with Smart Mwakalama (right), one of his close associates charged before the Mombasa Law Courts with Manslaughter in this photo taken on 23rd January 2024. The 95 Suspects denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku.
Rhoda Maweu Mumbua,the wife to the Controversial Preacher, Pastor Paul Mackenzie who is charged with the Man Slaughter Charges of 238 deaths in Shakahola Forest in this photo taken on 25th February 2026.
A Bible lies on the ground in one of the Good News International Church Pastor Paul Mackenzie Followers homestead in Shakahola Forest within Malindi, Kilifi County which was desserted following his arrest in this photo taken on 17th April 2023.
Suleiman Nyanje Ziro display the only Memory he has of the First Wife Mbeyu Mumba who together with their Six Children perished in the Shakahola Massacre in this photo taken on 28th October 2026. He welcomed the Court Verdict but still wants the Controversial Preacher Paul Makenzie to inform him of the Wheareabouts of his Family.
Suleiman Nyanje Ziro descibes how he lost his First Wife Mbeyu Mumba who together with their Six Children in the Shakahola Massacre in this photo taken on 28th October 2026. He welcomed the Court Verdict but still wants the Controversial Preacher Paul Makenzie to inform him of the Wheareabouts of his Family.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie confers with his Wife Rhoda Maweu at the Shanzu Law Courts during the Mention of his matter in this photo taken on 3rd July 2023. The Court granted the Prosecution 30 More days to complete investigations.
A Team from DCI Homicide Officers and Grave diggers carry bodies exhumed from the shakahola forest in this photo taken on 12th May 2023.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie with his accomplices escorted outside the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa in this photo taken on 1st August 2023.
Controversial Preacher Paul Mackenzie escorted outside the Shanzu Law Courts where him and 94 Other Suspects were charged with Terrorism related charges in this photo taken on 18th January 2024.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie with his accomplices escorted outside his Homestead in SHakahola Forest during a Court Visit to the Crime Scene in this photo taken on 24th Jnue 2026.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie is guarded to a Police Van during a Court Visit to Furunzi area in Malindi, Kilifi County in this photo taken on 23rd June 2026.
Lady Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache at the high court in Mombasa during a case where Pastor Paul Mackenzie with 29 other accused persons are charged with murder of 191 Children in the Shakahola Massacre in this photo taken on 7th October 2025.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) with Hired Labourers dig one of the Graves in Shakahola Forest where followers of the Controversial Preacher Paul Mackenzie were buried in this photo taken on 4th June 2024.
A Bible lies on the ground in one of the Good News International Church and Pastor Paul Mackenzie Follower's homestead in Shakahola, Kilifi County which was desserted following their arrest in this photo taken on 17th April 2023. Police have been granted 14 more days to complete investigations into the preacher’s alleged cult-like activities believed to have led to the deaths of 14 persons through starvation.
Lawyer Lawrence Obonyo within the Shakahola Forest during a Court Visit to the Forest where his client Pastor Paul Mackenzie and others are facing Murder Charges in this photo taken on 24th June 2026.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie at the Shanzu Law Courts during the Mention of his case in this photo taken on 3rd April 2024. The Court dismissed his application to be detained in a Malindi Prison since he is not comfortable at the Shimo la Tewa Prison where he is being held.
A Grave digger during the Exhumation process at Shakahola Forest where More than 400 Followers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie were buried in this photo taken on 12th May 2023.
The Eldest son of the Controversial Preacher Paul Mackenzie, Dan Mackenzie addressing the Media at their Home in Furunzi, Malindi town in this photo taken on 30th October 2026. He Welcomed the Court rulling which found his dad guilty of Murder to the 191 Children who perished in the Shakahola Massacre.
One of the Shallow Graves in Shakahola Forest before it was dug and some of the Bodies were exhumed from in this photo taken on 13th May 2023.
Police Officers on guard as more bodies are exhumed at the Shakahola where Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kindiki Kithure inspected the ongoing operations at the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County where the Exhumation of Bodies resumed in this photo taken on 9th May 2023.
The Deputy President Prof. Kindiki Kithure (centre) who was then the Cabinet Secretary for Interior visits Shakahola Forest to witness the Exhumation Process of the more than 400 Foloowers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie in this photo taken on 9th May 2023.
The Deputy President Prof. Kindiki Kithure (centre) who was then the Cabinet Secretary for Interior visits Shakahola Forest to witness the Exhumation Process of the more than 400 Foloowers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie in this photo taken on 9th May 2023.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie with his Lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo at the Shanzu Law Courts for the Mention of their Matter in this photo taken on 10th August 2023.Pastor Mackenzie and followers will remain in custody for another 47 days as court allowed state request to hold them for 47 days.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie with Other Suspects protest during the proceedings at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa in this photo taken on 1st August 2023.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie escorted at the Malindi High Court where he is facing Murder Charges with 30 other accused Persons in this photo taken on 17th January 2024.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 94 other Suspects escorted outside the Mombasa Law Courts with Manslaughter in this photo taken on 23rd January 2024. The 95 Suspects denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie before the Mombasa Law Courts.
Good News International Church Pastor Paul Mackenzie (right) with Six Other Followers who were presented before the Malindi Law Courts in Kilifi County in this photo taken on 17th April 2023. Police have been granted 14 more days to complete investigations into the preacher’s alleged cult-like activities believed to have led to the deaths of 14 persons through starvation.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie (right) and 28 other Suspects were Convicted over 191 deaths of Children in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County in this photo taken on 6th November 2026. Mackenzie was jailed to 200 years imprisonment for the crimes he committed.
