By Andrew Kariuki
A Malindi court has allowed prosecutors to proceed with criminal charges against Good News International Church leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and several co-accused in connection with the deaths of 52 people at the Binzaro homestead in Kilifi County.
In a ruling delivered by Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Wesonga, the court granted the prosecution additional time to assemble all suspects for a consolidated plea taking, which has been scheduled for February 11, 2026.
Mackenzie, who is currently held at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison in relation to other cases, will be produced in court on the scheduled date.
The remaining suspects will continue to be held at Malindi GK Prison pending the joint plea.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons will face multiple charges linked to the Binzaro deaths, including engaging in organised criminal activity under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, radicalisation and facilitation of terrorist acts under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and murder under the Penal Code.
The court was told that investigators believe Mackenzie played a central role in the alleged offences, using religious teachings and coordinated structures to draw victims to the remote Binzaro homestead.
Prosecutors said handwritten notes recovered from cells occupied by Mackenzie allegedly detailed transactions carried out through mobile phones.
Investigators stated that 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 handled by Racheal Amala for the prosecution.
The Binzaro proceedings come shortly after a related development in which one of Mackenzie’s co-accused, Enos Amanya, also known as Halleluhya, pleaded guilty to 191 counts of murder in a separate case before the High Court in Mombasa.
