Pastor Paul Mackenzie Sentenced to 200 Years for Cult Tragedy

On November 6, 2026, a Kenyan High Court in Mombasa sentenced controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for his involvement in the deaths of 191 individuals, including 190 children, during a cult-related tragedy. Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Church, was convicted for orchestrating a fasting program that resulted in starvation and violence against followers.

Justice Diana Kavedza stated that Mackenzie bore primary responsibility for relocating church members to a remote area and enforcing deadly fasting directives. The court found that 183 victims died from starvation and eight from violence.

Mackenzie was convicted alongside 28 others, including assistant pastor Smart Mwakalama, who received a 160-year sentence. The case, known as the Shakahola massacre, came to light in April 2023 when bodies were discovered in shallow graves in Shakahola Forest.

Investigations revealed a system of coercion among church members, leading to national and international outrage.