Also known as: convicted preacher Paul Makenzi · Makenzie
Pastor convicted of murdering 191 people, mostly children, in the 2023 Shakahola Forest cult massacre in Kilifi County through starvation directives.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Paul Makenzi
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The Standard
… Though Good News International Ministries, the church linked to the controversial pastor Paul Makenzi, did not wear hats, the headwear Amanya chose was a deliberate signal from a renegade intent on cooperating. …
Shakahola: Chilling renegade's confessions that unveiled family tragedy, cult horrorsThe Standard
Dan Makenzi, the son of controversial preacher Paul Makenzi. [File, Standard] The 24-year-old son of convicted preacher Paul Makenzi yesterday termed the verdict a relief and justice for hundreds of victims and families who lost their loved ones to the doomsday cult inside the Sh …
I'm a victim of my dad's teaching, Makenzi son welcomes convictionThe Standard
Text messages from Shakahola cult leader Paul Makenzi’s mobile phones paint a man who was keen on having his followers follow his directives without question. …
Untold story of Makenzi's push against vaccination, Huduma numberThe Standard
Paul Makenzi appears before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku at Mombasa Law Court on February, 19, 2026. …
Shakahola deaths: Justice Diana Kavedza delivering Paul Makenzi's judgmentThe Standard
Audio By VocalizePaul Makenzi has been held accountable for the deaths of 190 children following his directive to fast and his enforcement of dry fasting in Shakahola. …
Court finds Makenzi liable for 190 Shakahola child deathsThe Standard
Audio By Vocalize Paul Mackenzi with his co-accused at Mombasa Law Courts on October 19, 2026. [Photo: Omondi Onyango, Standard]The High Court has convicted Paul Makenzi and 28 others of murdering 191 people, 190 of them children, in Shakahola Forest. …
Makenzi guilty of murder of 191 people in Shakahola ForestThe Standard
Audio By VocalizePaul Makenzi will remain at Shimo la Tewa Prison under isolation after the High Court declined to order his transfer to another facility. …
Court rejects Makenzi's bid for transfer from Shimo La Tewa PrisonThe Standard
Followers of Paul Makenzi recounted harrowing experiences of prolonged starvation, confinement and psychological manipulation at the Kwa Binzaro settlement in Kilifi County. …
Witnesses on Kwa Binzaro starvation case tell harrowing tales following Makenzis persuasionThe Standard
… Kwa Binzaro is about 30 kilometres from Shakahola.Controversial pastor Paul Makenzi, Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali and Johnson Richard are facing 29 counts of manslaughter over the deaths of 29 people at Kwa Binzaro. …
Kwa Binzaro victims buried naked, without coffins; court toldAmos Amanya, a member of Good News International Ministries linked to pastor Paul Makenzi, pleaded guilty to murder charges in connection with the Shakahola religious massacre. In his confession to Justice Diana Kavedza, Amanya revealed that he buried three of his own children as part of the cult's hierarchy while three others remain missing and presumed dead.
24 October 2026 · The Standard →
Amos Amanya, a member of Good News International Ministries linked to pastor Paul Makenzi, pleaded guilty to murder charges in connection with the Shakahola religious massacre. In his confession to Justice Diana Kavedza, Amanya revealed that he buried three of his own children as part of the cult's hierarchy while three others remain missing and presumed dead.
24 October 2026 · The Standard →
Dan Makenzi, the 24-year-old son of preacher Paul Makenzi, has welcomed the conviction of his father and 18 others for the murder of 191 people in the Shakahola forest doomsday cult in 2023, calling the verdict a relief and justice for victims and families.
23 October 2026 · The Standard →
The Standard reports on the Shakahola massacre, in which Paul Makenzi subjected relatives to torture and deadly fasting in his home in Malindi.
23 October 2026 · The Standard →
Text messages from Shakahola cult leader Paul Makenzi's phones show he kept his views on Covid-19 secret while seeking strict follower obedience. The messages reveal his push against vaccination and Huduma numbers.
21 October 2026 · The Standard →
A Mombasa court is delivering judgment against Pastor Paul Makenzi, accused of murdering 191 people in Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County, following testimony from 121 witnesses.
19 October 2026 · The Standard →
Justice Kavedza Mochache found Paul Makenzi and 30 co-accused liable for the deaths of 190 children in Shakahola after Makenzi issued a directive to fast and enforced dry fasting on followers, including children who did not consent and did not understand the fatal consequences.
19 October 2026 · The Standard →
Judge Diana Kavedza Mochache convicted Paul Makenzi and 28 others of murdering 191 people, 190 of them children, at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County; the followers of Makenzi's Good News International Church died after being ordered to starve. Sentencing is scheduled for November 6.
19 October 2026 · The Standard →
Justice Jairus Ngaah rejected Paul Makenzi's application for transfer from Shimo La Tewa Prison, ruling he had not met the threshold for conservatory orders and dismissing his claims of isolation and torture. The judge said granting the transfer would disrupt legitimate security arrangements and proximity to courts where Makenzi is being tried.
17 August 2026 · The Standard →
Two prosecution witnesses testified that followers of Paul Makenzi's Good News International Church were lured with promises of reaching heaven through fasting, but endured prolonged starvation, confinement, and psychological manipulation at the Kwa Binzaro settlement in Kilifi County.
1 August 2026 · The Standard →
A location chief testified in Mombasa court that victims of the Kwa Binzaro massacre were buried naked, without coffins, and in shallow graves—departures from established Giriama burial customs which require daytime burials in coffins with prayers and gender-specific rites.
24 July 2026 · The Standard →