The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) again charged controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie with diverse charges in three different courts.
In Shanzu Law Court, Mackenzie, Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali, Johnson Richard, Charles Musee and James Kahindi were charged with several charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act that led to the deaths of at least 52 people at Kwa Binzaro area in Chakama, Kilifi County.
The prosecution charged the accused persons with the offences of engaging in organized criminal activity, two counts of radicalization, two counts of facilitating commission of a terrorist act and being in possession of an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The prosecuting counsel informed the court that on the diverse dates between January and July 2025, at Kwa Binzaro area in the Chakama location of Magarini Sub County, within Kilifi County, the accused persons were found to be members of a radicalized religious sect, namely Good News International Ministries, an organized criminal group that endangered the lives of followers of the said Good News International Ministries, leading to the death of at least 52 people.
They are alleged to have promoted an extreme belief system by preaching against the authority of the government, adopted an extreme belief system against authority, and facilitated the commission of a terrorist act.
They pleaded not guilty to the all charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma.
The matter will be mentioned on March 4, 2026.
The accused persons were later taken to Mombasa Law Court before Senior Principal Magistrate Hon Eric Wambo, where the DPP charged them with the additional charges of manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code, Cap 63 laws of Kenya.
The accused persons allegedly killed 29 people on an unknown date between January and July 2025, at Kwa Binzaro area in Chakama location of Magarini Sub County, within Kilifi County.
The matter will be mentioned on 4 March 2026.
The accused persons were further arraigned before Mombasa High Court judge Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo.
They however did not plead to the murder charges.
Lady Justice Kagendo ordered all the accused persons to be escorted to a hospital for mental assessment.
Kagendo directed that the matter will be mentioned on March 4, 2026 for plea taking.
The matter is being prosecuted by 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.
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