MOMBASA, Kenya — The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie and seven others over 52 new deaths linked to activities at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama, Kilifi County.
The charges were filed in three separate courts in Mombasa on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the prosecution of cases arising from the operations of Good News International Ministries.
In the Shanzu Law Court, Mackenzie and his co-accused Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali, Johnson Richard, Charles Musee, and James Kahindi were charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
They face charges of engaging in organised criminal activity, two counts of radicalisation, two counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and being in possession of an article connected with an offence under the Act.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons, on diverse dates between January and July 2025, at Kwa Binzaro area in Chakama location, Magarini Sub-county, were members of a radicalised religious sect that endangered the lives of followers.
The court was told that the group allegedly promoted an extreme belief system by preaching against government authority and adopting radical teachings that ultimately led to the deaths of at least 52 people.
The eight accused pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma. The matter will be mentioned on March 4, 2026.
In a separate appearance before the Mombasa Law Court, the same accused persons were charged with 29 counts of manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that between January and July 2025, at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama location, the accused unlawfully caused the deaths of 29 people.
The case was placed before Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Wambo and is also scheduled for mention on March 4, 2026.
The accused were further arraigned before Mombasa High Court Judge Wendy Kagendo to face murder charges. However, plea taking did not proceed.
Justice Kagendo ordered that all the accused persons undergo a mental assessment before a plea can be taken. The matter will also be mentioned on March 4, 2026, for further directions.
The prosecution team comprises Senior Assistant DPP Esther Macharia, Assistant DPP Jami Yamina, Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti, Betty Rubia, Rachael Amala, and Alex Ndiema, and Prosecution Counsel Yassir Mohammed.
The latest charges add to the ongoing legal proceedings against Mackenzie and associates over alleged radical teachings and deaths linked to the religious sect in Kilifi County, cases that have drawn national and international attention.
