Diana Kavedza: Who is the judge who sentenced Mackenzie to 200 years behind bars?

High Court Judge Lady Justice Diana Rachel Kavedza-Mochache has attracted national attention following her decision to sentence controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie to 200 years in prison over the Shakahola massacre.

The judge delivered the sentence at the Mombasa High Court on Friday, November 6, 2026, after Mackenzie was convicted of murder in connection with the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children.

Her ruling has renewed interest in a judicial career spanning more than three decades, during which she has handled serious criminal cases, including terrorism-related proceedings. She is also presiding over the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire case, in which eight minors face murder charges following a fire that killed 16 students.

According to her official profile on the Judiciary’s website, Justice Kavedza-Mochache was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1991 after completing her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Nairobi.

She later obtained a Master of Laws degree from the same university and a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law.

Her additional training includes a Certificate in Strategic Leadership from the Kenya School of Government and a Certificate in Crisis Leadership from Rosewell Academy in the United States.

She joined the Judiciary in 1993 as a District Magistrate II (Professional), gradually rising through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate. In 2022, she was appointed a Judge of the High Court.

Over the years, she has served at the Milimani High Court Criminal Division and the Kibera High Court, where she has also held leadership responsibilities.

One of the notable chapters in her career was her involvement in establishing and leading specialised counter-terrorism court stations.

She served as the pioneer Head of Station at the Shanzu Counter-Terrorism Court in Mombasa and later at the Kahawa Counter-Terrorism Court in Nairobi.

During her time at Kahawa, she handled proceedings involving suspects accused of facilitating the January 2019 DusitD2 terror attack, in which 21 people were killed. Two men were eventually convicted of aiding the attackers and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Justice Kavedza has also chaired the National Community Service Orders Committee and the Business Premises Rent Tribunal, responsibilities that extended her work beyond criminal trials.

Her recent work has placed her at the centre of two cases that have drawn considerable public attention.

In the Shakahola case, Mackenzie received 100 years for 183 counts of murder by starvation and another 100 years for eight counts of direct homicide. The sentences are to run consecutively, bringing the total to 200 years.

The prosecution had sought the death penalty. However, the judge opted for imprisonment, explaining that keeping Mackenzie alive could preserve the possibility of obtaining information about missing victims and their remains. She also considered the nature of the beliefs associated with the case when assessing the appropriate punishment.

At the Kibera High Court, she is also handling the Utumishi Girls Academy fire case. The September 2026 bail ruling involving eight minors charged with 16 counts of murder was among the early significant decisions in the proceedings. The fire claimed 16 students’ lives and left 79 others injured.

Despite her growing public profile, Justice Kavedza-Mochache has kept much of her private life away from public attention.

Her official judiciary biography focuses on her education, professional qualifications and judicial appointments. It does not provide details about her date of birth, family background, marital status or children.

As a result, there is limited verified public information about her life outside the courtroom. Much of what is publicly documented about her is connected to her legal career and service in the judiciary.

Beyond her judicial responsibilities, she has been described as a courteous and patient courtroom presence who sometimes uses humour and references to the Bible while explaining legal proceedings. The newspaper also noted that she maintains firm control of her courtroom.

With more than 30 years in the justice system, Justice Kavedza-Mochache’s career has taken her from the magistracy to the High Court, where she continues to handle cases involving serious criminal allegations and matters of national interest.

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