Preacher Mackenzie, seven others charged over Shakahola massacre

The Director of Public Prosecutions has charged controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and seven individuals in connection with the Shakahola Kwa Binzaro massacre. The defendants, including Mackenzie who is also known as Mtumishi, Shallyne Anindo Temba alias Ann, Kahindi Kazungu Garama alias Mlewa, Tom Ochieng Mkonwe alias Thomas alias Tomaso, Julius Tuva Luwali, Johnson Gona Richard, Charles Mutua Musee alias Mzee Mutua, and James Kazungu Kahindi alias Ponda alias Baba Bura, presented themselves before High Court Judge Wendy Kagendo in Mombasa. Mackenzie and five co-defendants face 23 murder charges as crimes against humanity, brought under Section 6 (1)(b) of the International Crimes Act, No.16 of 2008, and Articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) and (b) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The charges state that the six unlawfully killed 23 members of the Good News International Church, ranging in age from six months to 18 years, during a coordinated attack carried out as part of the organization’s operational policy. The DPP highlighted that the killings were intentional and premeditated, executed with full awareness that their actions would cause death. Justice Kagendo observed that the genders of the victims remain unknown, leading to the use of identifiers in court documents. The alleged offenses took place at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County. Along with the international law charges, the six were also charged with 23 counts of murder under the Penal Code. Charles Mutua Musee and James Kazungu Kahindi faced accessory-after-the-fact charges for helping co-defendants avoid justice. Mutua reportedly hid one suspect in Mwingi Sub-County, while James allegedly assisted three others in Mombasa County between 19–21 July 2025. All eight defendants pleaded not guilty. Justice Kagendo remanded Mackenzie at Shimo la Tewa Prison and instructed his co-defendants to remain at Malindi GK Prison for two weeks pending transfer arrangements. The prosecution team, led by Deputy DPPs Jami Yamina and Joseph Kimanthi, Assistant DPP Ngina Mutua, and Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, confirmed that 128 witnesses and numerous exhibits will be presented to build a comprehensive case. The court ordered complete evidence disclosure within two weeks, with the next hearing set for 18 March 2026.