Kenyan Court Expected to Rule in Shakahola Deaths Trial

A Kenyan court is expected to deliver its verdict on Monday in the trial of self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and his associates over the deaths of 191 people, most of them children.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case has drawn close attention from victims’ families, who are seeking justice three years after hundreds of bodies were discovered in shallow graves in Shakahola Forest near Malindi.

Prosecution and defence claims

Prosecutors allege that Mackenzie encouraged followers to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus, and that children were allegedly targeted first. Those claims remain allegations before the court.

Mackenzie’s lawyers have argued that the prosecution’s case depends heavily on circumstantial evidence and forensic findings they consider inconclusive. Mackenzie also denies separate charges of manslaughter and terrorism.

The trial heard evidence from more than 120 witnesses about events between 2021 and 2023. The court’s expected ruling will determine the outcome of the case, although the supplied information does not indicate what verdict will be delivered.

More than 400 bodies recovered

The investigation began after the discovery in 2023 of hundreds of bodies buried in shallow graves in Shakahola Forest. More than 400 bodies have since been recovered from the surrounding area, while some victims have not been identified.

The deaths prompted public outrage in Kenya and renewed calls for tighter oversight of religious organisations. The verdict is being closely watched by the families of those who died as they await a judicial decision in one of the country’s most closely followed criminal cases.