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Shakahola massacre: 422 witnesses lined up in Paul Mackenzie manslaughter case

Alleged cult leader Paul Mackenzie, the key suspect in the Shakahola massacre, at the Shakahola Law Courts in Mombasa County on March 13, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Tuesday, May 21, 2024

The prosecution confirmed supplying evidence to the defence lawyers, expressing confidence in proving the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution has lined up 422 witnesses to prove 238 counts of manslaughter against alleged cult leader Paul Nthege Mackenzie, the prime suspect in the Shakahola massacre, and 94 others.

Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku further heard on Tuesday that besides the testimonies of those witnesses, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would table electronic and other exhibits to firm up the case.

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The prosecution confirmed supplying the evidence to the defence lawyers, expressing confidence in proving the case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Prosecution Counsel Martin Mbote informed the court that the defence investigators were preparing sets of statements and exhibits for the defence.

The defence team, led by Lawrence Obonyo, confirmed that investigators had served them on Tuesday with a bundle of statements and exhibits the prosecution would rely on.

Obonyo said the investigators would supply them with one or two remaining pieces of evidence before the hearing.

Ithuku certified the matter as ready for hearing on August 12–15, 2024, and September 9–12, 2024.

The court reiterated to parties that the proceeding would be uninterrupted and conducted on a day-to-day basis to accord justice to all parties, including Mackenzie and his co-accused, who have been denied bond.

The 40 women and 55 men linked to 429 deaths in the Shakahola massacre were faced with 238 counts of manslaughter, contrary to Section 202, as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code.

It is alleged that they jointly killed 238 people, with others not before the court, in a suicide pact. Mackenzie allegedly convinced his followers at Good News International Ministries to starve themselves to death to see Jesus.

They allegedly committed the offences between January 2021 and September 2023 in the Shakahola area in Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi County.

They all pleaded not guilty to all counts of manslaughter, which were read to them for four and half hours.

The matter will be mentioned on June 25, 2024.