The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie and seven co-accused persons in three separate courts over the deaths of at least 52 people linked to the Kwa Binzaro tragedy in Chakama, Kilifi County.
In Shanzu Law Court, Mackenzie, alongside his co-accused persons, shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali, Johnson Richard, Charles Musee and James Kahindi, faced charges under the Terrorism Act.
The accused face multiple counts including, engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and possession of articles connected to terrorism-related offences.
Informing the court, prosecutors said that between January and July 2025, the accused persons allegedly operated as members of a radicalized religious sect known as Good News International Ministries.
The sect is accused of promoting extremist beliefs, opposing government authority and involving themselves in activities that endangered the lives of followers, leading to at least 52 deaths at Kwa Binzaro, Magarini Sub-County.
They pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma. The court scheduled the matter for mention on 4th March 2026.
The accused persons were later taken to Mombasa Law Court before Senior Principal Magistrate Hon Eric Wambo, where the DPP charged them with additional charges of manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code, Cap 63 laws of Kenya.
According to the prosecution, they unlawfully caused the deaths of 29 people within the same period and location. The matter was also set for mention on March 4, 2026.
In a third appearance before Mombasa High Court Judge Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo, the accused were arraigned to answer to murder charges. However, the plea-taking was differed after Lady Justice Kagendo ordered that all eight undergo mental assessment.
Hon. Kagendo directed that the matter will be mentioned on 4th march 2026 for plea taking.
