Paul Mackenzie

Also known as: Pastor Paul Mackenzie · Pastor Mackenzie

Preacher charged with 29 counts of manslaughter over deaths at Shakahola forest between January and July 2025.

2026-04-292026-08-29

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

April 2026
29 AprCitizen Digital
Forensic evidence, survivor testimony link Mackenzie to Kwa Binzaro deaths By Citizen Reporter April 29, 2026 05:13 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzieand his co-accused pe …
Forensic evidence, survivor testimony link Mackenzie to Kwa Binzaro deaths

Society

AG warns of surge in church registrations and violent governance disputes

The News

Kenya's Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has flagged the rapid growth in church registration applications—nearly 60 per month—linked to severe governance failures, financial disagreements, and leadership conflicts within religious institutions. Internal church elections have become volatile, often escalating into violent clashes, forcing the state to intervene in legal disputes over leadership and assets.

28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Yesterday

AG warns of surge in church registrations and violent governance disputes
Kenya's Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has flagged the rapid growth in church registration applications—nearly 60 per month—linked to severe governance failures, financial disagreements, and leadership conflicts within religious institutions. Internal church elections have become volatile, often escalating into violent clashes, forcing the state to intervene in legal disputes over leadership and assets.
28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 7 August

Witness claims Mackenzie transformed into snake in Shakahola
A witness in the Shakahola massacre trial told Mombasa court that pastor Paul Mackenzie allegedly transformed into a snake and bit her husband, and described how he persuaded followers to fast to death in the forest to meet Jesus.
7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 5 August

Mackenzie terror trial opens with sixty witnesses over Kwa Binzaro deaths
The prosecution opened its terrorism case against preacher Paul Mackenzie and seven co-accused in a Shanzu court over the Kwa Binzaro killings, saying it will call about 60 witnesses, including protected witnesses, while adopting prior testimony from eighteen witnesses in an earlier High Court case to prosecute allegations linked to fifty-two deaths.
5 August 2026 · Capital News →

Friday 24 July

Son recounts father's disappearance after joining Mackenzie's church
In the ongoing Kwa Binzaro manslaughter case against preacher Paul Mackenzie and five co-accused, prosecution witnesses testified that a witness's father disappeared after becoming a devoted follower of Mackenzie's teachings, with his remains later identified through DNA analysis. Mackenzie faces 29 counts of manslaughter linked to deaths associated with the Shakahola tragedy.
24 July 2026 · Capital News →

Wednesday 22 July

Witness testifies brother abandoned school, medical care for Mackenzie teachings
A prosecution witness in the Kwa Binzaro manslaughter trial told a Mombasa court that his brother, a preacher at Good News International Church, abandoned schooling and medical treatment after embracing teachings by Pastor Paul Mackenzie that discouraged education and medical care as against God's will. The witness said he made three trips to Shakahola searching for his brother but was unable to locate him, and later learned he had been spotted in Malindi.
22 July 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 21 July

Witness describes father's faith-driven prison resignation in Shakahola trial
A prosecution witness testified that his father resigned from the Kenya Prisons Service in 2021 after adopting Pastor Paul Mackenzie's teachings, which discouraged medical treatment and formal education. The witness appeared in the ongoing manslaughter trial against Mackenzie and five co-accused, who face 29 counts of manslaughter over alleged deaths at Shakahola between January and July 2025.
21 July 2026 · Capital News →
Witness describes family's faith shift leading to Shakahola relocation
A prosecution witness in the Shakahola manslaughter trial testified that his father resigned from the Kenya Prisons Service in 2021 after embracing Pastor Paul Mackenzie's teachings, which discouraged medical treatment and formal education. The witness, Japheth Lennox, described how his family relocated to Shakahola after encountering Mackenzie's broadcasts on Times TV while living in Migori County.
21 July 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 9 June

Shakahola trial hears claims of child neglect and isolation
The prosecution cross-examined defence witnesses at the Shakahola massacre trial against Paul Mackenzie and 39 co-accused, with seven individuals testifying about alleged child neglect, isolation, and extremist teachings within the suspected commune. Witnesses described relocating children despite knowing there were no schools in the area, enforced social restrictions, physical punishment of minors, and ideological justification for withdrawing children from formal education.
9 June 2026 · Capital News →

Thursday 28 May

Shakahola massacre defence: Woman says children fasted willingly to death
In the Shakahola massacre case at Shanzu Law Courts, an accused woman testified that her six dead children willingly fasted to death to "meet their Creator" and dug their own graves before dying, expressing belief they are "happily in heaven."
28 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 25 May

Chief Government Pathologist admitted to roll of advocates
Dr Johansen Oduor, the Chief Government Pathologist, has been admitted to the roll of advocates of the High Court of Kenya after completing legal training. He was enrolled as an advocate during a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, joining 166 lawyers called to the Bar.
25 May 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 29 April

Forensic evidence presented against preacher Mackenzie in court
Prosecutors presented forensic evidence and survivor testimony to the Mombasa High Court linking controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie to deaths in Shakahola forest. A forensic expert testified that investigators collected and analyzed samples including DNA from exhumed bodies, following internationally accepted procedures.
29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →