Shakahola Massacre

Mackenzie, along with 94 others, faces 13 counts of terrorism-related offences. The court has set marathon hearing dates from July 8-11 and July 22-25, 2024, to accommodate over 60 witnesses expected to testify.

Since the inception of the first phase in April last year, a total of 446 bodies have been exhumed.

The homicide detectives, led by Director Martin Nyuguto, have spent the last few months mapping and identifying new mass graves.

The discovery from three gravesites raised the number of bodies to 436 since the first phase of exhumations began last April.

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

The governor noted that preserving the bodies was a burden to the already overwhelmed county of Kilifi and a nuisance to the visitors of the hospital.

The suspected cult leader and 94 of his co-accused will remain in custody until their case is concluded.

She was previously honoured as the Best Journalist of the Year 2023 at the Mombasa Youth Awards and recognised among the 100 Most Influential Kenyan Muslims in 2023.

Lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo was required in court on Wednesday following Mackenzie's March 13, 2024 refusal to attend proceedings in his trial. 

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said they will also offer transport for the deceased back to their ancestral homes

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights's Chairperson Roseline Adede complained that the process was painfully slow adding that by 1 pm only one family had identified four of its kin.

Mwibo lost his mother, sister and niece who were devoted followers of Paul Mackenzie’s church, Good News International.

The commission has asked the government to establish a multi-agency/multi-stakeholder de-radicalisation and rehabilitation plan to facilitate the reintegration of the survivors into their homes, families, and communities.

Out of the 429 victims whose remains investigators have found so far in mass graves in the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County, 34 have been identified.

The case will, however, be expedited to prevent undue delays, Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir said.

Alleged cult leader Paul Mackenzie refused to attend proceedings in his trial over terrorism-related charges.

The prosecution argued that there is no provision of law compelling the DPP to reduce the number of murder charges against Mackenzie and his 29 co-accused persons.

Governor Mung’aro urged the government to expedite the identification of those bodies so their families could come and take them to pave the way and rebuild the mortuary.

The alleged cult leader and 94 other suspects appeared weak and emaciated after reportedly going on a hunger strike.

So far the state has conducted autopsies on 429 bodies and is waiting for the DNA results.

Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku set a new hearing date for February 20, 2024, allowing the defence time to submit their response.

The court also ruled that Mackenzie's wife, Rhoda Mumbwa Maweu is no longer a suspect in the murder case.

The self-proclaimed pastor allegedly incited his followers to starve to death to "meet Jesus", in a case that provoked horror across the world, with the discovery of at least 429 bodies in mass graves in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.

The self-proclaimed pastor, who has already been charged with terrorism and manslaughter, is alleged to have incited his acolytes to starve to death to "meet Jesus" in a case that provoked horror across the world.

The alleged cult leader, Paul Mackenzie, and 94 other suspects have refuted 238 manslaughter charges.

The accused will face accusations including murder, manslaughter, assault and engaging in an organised criminal activity, radicalisation.