Mackenzie’s courtroom moments as judge recounts Shakahola deaths

Doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie rubs his head and face during court proceedings in Mombasa on October 19, 2026 / JOHN CHESOLIDoomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie sat silently in court as a judge read a lengthy judgment recounting the deaths of children allegedly starved by followers of his religious movement.

Dressed in a red-and-black striped T-shirt, Mackenzie listened as the court detailed accounts of mothers watching their children starve to death and a brother witnessing his siblings waste away and die.

The 1,000-page judgment began at 9.40 am, recounting the circumstances surrounding the deaths of followers who allegedly believed that starving themselves would enable them to meet Jesus.

Doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie rubs his head and face during court proceedings in Mombasa on October 19, 2026 / JOHN CHESOLIMackenzie appeared pensive throughout the proceedings, frequently rubbing his face and head with one hand. His expression remained largely unchanged as the judge continued reading the accounts.

Mackenzie and 29 of his followers are charged with the murder of 191 people, most of them children.

Doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie rubs his head and face during court proceedings in Mombasa on October 19, 2026 / JOHN CHESOLIProsecutors allege that the followers were subjected to starvation under Mackenzie’s doomsday teachings, which reportedly prohibited formal education and portrayed modern medicine as evil.

Mackenzie and the 29 co-accused have all pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.

The preacher and other leaders of the movement are also facing separate legal proceedings over allegations including terrorism, radicalisation and denying children access to education.