Kenya verdict begins as Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie faces 191 murder charges
A verdict on murder charges
The case concerns 191 people whom Mackenzie and his followers are accused of murdering. Court documents identify 190 victims as children; some are listed as unknown, with grave locations and discovery dates used to identify them.
Mackenzie's former head of security, Enos Amanya Ngala, was first accused in the case. He later made a plea deal and became a prosecution witness. The judge has now begun delivering a verdict on the most serious charges against Mackenzie.
Teachings and church growth
Mackenzie established Good News International Ministries in 2003. Over the next 16 years, it drew thousands of followers through branches across Kenya. His End Days sermons portrayed education as evil, healthcare as contrary to doctrine and digital identity cards as the mark of the devil. The church's main branch closed in 2019, after which Mackenzie moved to Shakahola forest and encouraged followers to join him.
His son, Dan Paul Mackenzie, said he worked as a cameraperson at the church. He recalled children sitting at the back while adults sat in the middle and the congregation sang worship songs through the morning.
Life in Shakahola forest
The forest community consisted of mud houses spread across a large area. Shukrani described fasting for several days and then eating a small meal, and said his mother believed Mackenzie's teaching that medicine was evil.
Shukrani became ill in the forest, where medication was banned, and said his condition worsened. He believes he would have died had he stayed there, but still considers Mackenzie a good man. He also said people chose to fast because of their beliefs, rather than being forced.
Families and recovered remains
Seventeen men were hired from a nearby town to dig up shallow graves, with some paid $8 (£6) a day. One worker described finding 12 children's bodies in a grave, stacked one above another.
Some of the dead were known to people in nearby Shakahola town. Cult members went there for supplies and to collect water from the River Galana. Stephen Mwiti, 48, said he lost all six of his children. He found and buried the remains of his son Samuel, and told the BBC that he would rather die than meet Mackenzie again.
Key points
- A Kenyan judge has begun delivering a verdict in Paul Mackenzie's murder case.
- Mackenzie and his followers are accused of murdering 191 people, including 190 children.
- Mackenzie moved to Shakahola forest after his church closed in 2019.
- Stephen Mwiti said all six of his children died in Shakahola forest.