Kenya: Trial of Pastor Paul Mackenzie Begins Amidst Mass Deaths of Followers
On August 12, 2024, the self-described Kenyan pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s trial began under the shadow of sorrow and tragedy surrounding the murders of over 400 followers in what has been called the “Shakahola Forest Massacre.”
Mackenzie and ninety-four other co-defendants have entered not guilty pleas to the accusations of numerous counts of manslaughter.
Mackenzie appeared in a magistrate’s court in the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa along with 94 other suspects, prosecutors and court officials said.
“There has never been a manslaughter case like this in Kenya,” prosecutor Alexander Jami Yamina told AFP, adding that they will be charged under a Kenyan law dealing with suicide pacts.
This manslaughter case is going to be really special.”
The prosecution have prepared at least 420 witnesses, and the four-day hearing is planned.
“Due to the gravity of the case, we have prepared well,” Yamina stated.
It is reported that Mackenzie encouraged his followers to starve to death so they may “meet Jesus”—a claim that horrified many in Kenya and throughout the globe.
The trial for the 55 men and 40 women began last month. They are accused of terrorism related to the Shakahola massacre, and they are also facing separate counts of murder and child abuse and neglect. According to the prosecution, the killings happened between 2020 and 2023.
Several incidents led to Mackenzie’s arrest in April of last year,
The first body discovery occurred in the isolated Shakahola forest, which is located inland from Malindi, a town on the Indian Ocean.
After exploring the scrubland for several months, rescuers have recently found about 440 dead from mass graves.