“It was a cult” — Justice Diana Kavedza crushes doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie in court

The High Court in Mombasa has delivered its major judgment in one of the most shocking mass murder cases in Kenyan history. Lady Justice Diana Kavedza officially declared Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Ministries a cult during the highly anticipated trial ruling. The self-proclaimed preacher and 29 of his close followers arrived at the court under heavy security to face 191 counts of murder.

The serious criminal charges follow the horrifying discovery of hundreds of shallow graves inside the Shakahola forest near Malindi in 2023. State prosecutors argue that Mackenzie ran an organized criminal network to enforce extreme fasting rules among his members. The doomsday doctrine forced followers, including 190 children, to starve themselves to death to meet Jesus. Cult leaders targeted innocent minors first, using physical force, guards, and grave diggers to prevent desperate families from escaping the forest settlements.

During the lengthy reading of the verdict, Justice Kavedza dismantled the religious defense tactics used by the suspects. The judge ruled that Mackenzie and his co-accused relied heavily on the Books of Maccabees to justify their actions. However, the court found that these books are not divinely inspired scriptures or proper Christian teachings. The judge noted that Mackenzie used intense charm and emotional manipulation to gain total control over his vulnerable followers. He then forced them to destroy their properties, quit their jobs, and ban schools and modern medicine.

The historic court session follows a massive state investigation that featured testimonies from 121 witnesses, including massacre survivors and forensic experts. While Mackenzie and his core leaders repeatedly pleaded not guilty, their former head of security, Enos Amanya, broke ranks and made a plea deal. Amanya pleaded guilty to all 191 murders earlier in the trial and testified as a key state witness against his former boss. This murder verdict marks the first major judgment against Mackenzie, who still faces separate high-profile trials for terrorism, radicalization, and child cruelty.

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