A court in Malindi has granted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approval to formally charge Good News International Church leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his co-accused over the deaths of 52 people linked to the Binzaro homestead in Kilifi County.
In a ruling delivered by Malindi Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Wesonga, the prosecution was allowed additional time to coordinate the production of all suspects to enable a joint plea-taking. The court set February 11, 2026 as the date for plea-taking.
Mackenzie, who is currently remanded at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison, will be presented in court on the scheduled date.
He is already facing multiple charges in separate cases, including murder, manslaughter, radicalisation, and offences involving children. The remaining suspects will continue to be held at Malindi GK Prison pending plea-taking.
In the Binzaro case, Mackenzie and his co-accused are expected to face several serious charges, including engaging in organised criminal activities under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, radicalisation and facilitation of terrorist acts under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and murder contrary to the Penal Code.
Prosecutors told the court that Mackenzie is reasonably suspected to have masterminded and coordinated the offences, allegedly using radical teachings and structured networks to lure victims to the remote Binzaro homestead. Investigators also informed the court that handwritten notes were recovered from cells occupied by Mackenzie, allegedly detailing transactions carried out using mobile phones.
The suspects were arrested on July 19, 2025 at Binzaro Village in Makongeni B Sub-Location, Chakama Location, Malindi Sub-County, following extensive investigations.
The case is being prosecuted by Racheal Amala on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The latest development comes barely two weeks after a breakthrough in a related matter, where Mackenzie’s co-accused Enos Amanya alias “Halleluhya” pleaded guilty to 191 counts of murder in a separate case before the Mombasa High Court.
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