Murder in God’s Name: How Pastor Mackenzie Used Religion to Lure Followers to Their Deaths

New details have emerged in court showing how preacher Paul Mackenzie and 30 other accused people allegedly worked together to enforce a fasting programme that resulted in the deaths of children and adults at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.

In a ruling delivered at the Mombasa Law Courts, High Court Judge Diana Kavedza found that the deaths resulted from unlawful actions and failures by those who introduced and maintained the fasting rules.The court examined 191 murder charges connected to the Shakahola tragedy, which shocked Kenya and attracted international attention because of the large number of people who lost their lives.

In her findings, Justice Kavedza said Mackenzie and his co-accused acted together to introduce and maintain the fasting practices that eventually led to the deaths.

The judge determined that the deaths were not merely unexpected outcomes of religious worship but were linked to unlawful actions and failures by those responsible for enforcing the programme.

The ruling has brought renewed attention to the part Mackenzie and his fellow accused allegedly played in the tragedy.

Mackenzie, who headed the Good News International Church, became the subject of investigations after authorities discovered mass graves and human remains in Shakahola Forest.

Investigators linked the deaths to extreme fasting practices reportedly followed by members of the religious group.The discoveries stunned the country and raised serious concerns about how followers, including children, became involved in dangerous religious practices.

The tragedy also triggered public debate about the power religious leaders hold over their followers and the need to protect vulnerable people from teachings that could put their lives in danger.

Following the discovery of the remains, investigators began examining the involvement of Mackenzie and other people suspected of organising and enforcing the fasting programme.

The case attracted widespread attention because of the high number of victims and the serious allegations against those accused.

Justice Kavedza’s findings represent a major development in the proceedings, with the court concluding that the accused worked together to carry out and maintain the practices linked to the deaths.

The Shakahola tragedy remains one of Kenya’s most disturbing cases, highlighting concerns about religious leadership, accountability and the protection of vulnerable followers.

https://nation.africa/kenya/news/shakahola-mackenzie-30-co-accused-guilty-191-counts-murder–5638226#story

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