Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and seven others were on Wednesday charged over the Shakahola Kwa Binzaro massacre.
The accused, including Mackenzie alias Mtumishi, Shallyne Anindo Temba alias Ann, Kahindi Kazungu Garama alias Mlewa, Tom Ochieng Mkonwe alias Thomas alias Tomaso, Julius Tuva Luwali, Johnson Gona Richard, Charles Mutua Musee alias Mzee Mutua, and James Kazungu Kahindi alias Ponda alias Baba Bura, appeared before High Court Judge Wendy Kagendo in Mombasa.
Mackenzie and five co-accused face 23 counts of murder as crimes against humanity, charged under Section 6 (1)(b) of the International Crimes Act, No.16 of 2008, and Articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) and (b) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The charges allege that the six unlawfully killed 23 members of the Good News International Church, aged between six months and 18 years, in a coordinated attack executed as part of the organization’s operational policy.
The prosecution emphasized that the killings were deliberate and premeditated, carried out with full knowledge that their actions would result in death. Justice Kagendo noted that the victims’ genders remain unascertained, prompting the assignment of identifiers in court records.
The alleged offences occurred at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County.
In addition to international law charges, the six were charged with 23 counts of murder under the Penal Code, while Charles Mutua Musee and James Kazungu Kahindi faced accessory-after-the-fact charges for aiding co-accused to evade justice.
Mutua allegedly sheltered one suspect in Mwingi Sub-County, and James allegedly assisted three others in Mombasa County between 19–21 July 2025.
All eight accused pleaded not guilty. Justice Kagendo remanded Mackenzie at Shimo la Tewa Prison and ordered his co-accused to remain at Malindi GK Prison for two weeks pending transfer arrangements.
Prosecution, led by Deputy DPPs Jami Yamina and Joseph Kimanthi, alongside Assistant DPP Ngina Mutua and Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, confirmed that 128 witnesses and dozens of exhibits will be presented to ensure a thorough and robust case.
The court directed full disclosure of evidence within two weeks, with the next mention scheduled for March 18 2026.
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