Paul Mackenzie Found Guilty of Murdering 191 Shakahola Cult Victims

A Mombasa High Court judge ruled on Monday, October 19, 2026, that Paul Mackenzie's Good News International Ministries was an apocalyptic cultJustice Diana Kavedza found that Mackenzie enforced isolation, banned education and healthcare, and posted guards to stop members from leaving Shakahola ForestMackenzie, a former taxi driver, faces murder charges alongside 29 co-accused over the deaths of 191 people, the majority of whom were childrenGhana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!

Paul Mackenzie, the founder of Good News International Ministries, has been found guilty of murder in connection with the deaths of 191 people at his Shakahola Forest settlement in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Court finds doomsday preacher guilty of murdering 191 followers who died after prolonged fasting in a bid to meet Jesus. Image credit: Sky News/FB Source: UGCMombasa High Court Justice Diana Kavedza opened proceedings on Monday, October 19, 2026, by declaring that Mackenzie's church bore every hallmark of an apocalyptic doomsday cult.

The ruling marked the first time the pastor has faced a verdict on the most serious charges brought against him.

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Justice Kavedza identified a clear pattern of cult behaviour within the congregation.

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Members lived under an enforced "us versus them" worldview, with Mackenzie casting the outside world as evil and the Shakahola settlement as the sole refuge for true believers.

Armed guards were stationed at the settlement's perimeter to prevent followers from leaving or communicating with outsiders.

Children were confined within the compound, barred from playing with neighbours, and withheld from their own families.

One witness, PW57, told the court that when he contacted Mackenzie seeking the return of his children, who had been brought to Shakahola without his consent, the pastor instructed him to sell his belongings and move there himself rather than expect his children home.

The judge also drew comparisons between Mackenzie's methods and those of Jim Jones of the People's Temple in Jonestown, noting shared tactics of exhaustion, enforced confession, and total social isolation.

Mackenzie additionally banned formal education, medical care, and childhood immunisation, framing government policy as the work of the Antichrist.

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The Facebook post below contains a video providing more details about the doomsday preacher’s case.

Mackenzie, a former taxi driver who established the Good News International Church in 2003, faces murder charges alongside 29 co-accused.

Prosecutors allege that followers, including large numbers of children, were starved to death in accordance with Mackenzie's teaching that dying through fasting would allow them to "meet Jesus."

All 30 accused have pleaded not guilty, maintaining throughout that participation was voluntary.

The atrocity came to public attention in March 2023 after a survivor escaped and reported what was happening inside the forest.

Police discovered hundreds of bodies in shallow graves across approximately 800 acres of land.

More than 400 deaths were eventually linked to the settlement, and exhumations revealed that children had been buried in ceremonies followers called "Harusi."

Beyond murder, Mackenzie also faces charges of terrorism, radicalisation, and denying children access to education.

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The prison preacher, Nana Agradaa, sends a strong message to embattled Chairman Wontumi after the court sentences him to 20 years in prison on July 20, 2026. Image credit: UGC Source: UGCPrison preacher sends a message to WontumiEarlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asante, widely known as Nana Agradaa, publicly reached out to Ghanaian businessman and politician Wontumi following his sentencing, offering prayers and a stern reminder about the power of the law.

Agradaa shared her message through her TV station's official Facebook page after Wontumi was sentenced to two years in prison on July 20, 2026.

Writing with evident emotion, the Ghanaian preacher described Wontumi as her "big brother" and pledged to keep him in her prayers.

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Ruth Sekyi (Entertainment Editor) Ruth Esi Amfua Sekyi is a Human Interest Editor at YEN.com.gh with 4+ years’ experience across radio, print, TV, and digital media. She holds a B.A. in Communications (PR) from UNIMAC-IJ. Her media career began at Radio GIJ (campus radio), followed by Prime News Ghana. At InstinctWave, she worked on business content, playing major role in events organized by the company. She also worked with ABC News GH, updating their site, served as Production Assistant. In 2025, Ruth completed the ECOWAS, GIZ, and MFWA Information Integrity training. Email: ruth.sekyi@yen.com.gh