Kenyan Preacher Paul Mackenzie Charged Again in Shakahola Deaths, Now Facing 52 More Victims
Kenyan preacher Paul Mackenzie, linked to the deaths of more than 400 people after encouraging his followers to fast until death, was charged again on Wednesday in connection with an additional 52 deaths, according to prosecutors.
In the case that drew global attention in 2023, hundreds of bodies were discovered near the tourist town of Malindi in what became known as the "Shakahola Forest Massacre," one of the largest cult-related mass killings in recent history.
The preacher, Paul Mackenzie, pleaded not guilty to several counts of manslaughter in the Mombasa court and remains in custody.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions stated via a post on X that it had charged Mackenzie and his co-accused with organized criminal activity, two counts of radicalization, and two counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, in relation to the deaths of at least 52 people in the Kwa Binzaro area of Chakama, Kilifi County.
