Paul Mackenzie faces verdict over Shakahola deaths

A Mombasa court is due to deliver a verdict on Monday, October 19, in the murder trial of self-proclaimed Kenyan preacher Paul Mackenzie and his associates over 191 deaths linked to the Shakahola starvation cult.

Hundreds of bodies were discovered in 2023 inland from the Kenyan resort town of Malindi. Mackenzie and his associates pleaded not guilty in 2024 to 191 counts of murder.

Mackenzie also faces separate manslaughter and terrorism cases, in which he has also pleaded not guilty.

During the murder trial, the court heard from more than 120 witnesses about events between 2021 and 2023 at an 800-acre ranch in Shakahola Forest. Prosecutors allege Mackenzie incited followers to starve to death to “meet Jesus” and directed an extreme fasting system in which children died first, followed by teenagers, women and men.

Prosecutors said children died from starvation, signs consistent with starvation, asphyxia, neck compression and traumatic head injury, citing post-mortems and police evidence.

Mackenzie's lawyers have said the case is largely based on circumstantial evidence, hearsay and inconclusive forensic findings.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said in 2024 that the death toll was 429. Some victims are still unidentified. In January, Mackenzie was charged over a further 52 bodies found at a nearby village.