By Andrew Kariuki
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has once again charged controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie and several co-accused in three separate courts over offences linked to the deaths of at least 52 people in Kwa Binzaro, Chakama, Kilifi County.
At the Shanzu Law Courts, Mackenzie was charged alongside Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali, Johnson Richard, Charles Musee and James Kahindi with multiple offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The charges include engaging in organized criminal activity, two counts of radicalization, two counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and possession of an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons, on diverse dates between January and July 2025 at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County, were members of a radicalized religious sect known as Good News International Ministries.
The State alleges that the group operated as an organized criminal entity and promoted extreme beliefs against government authority, actions said to have endangered followers and contributed to the deaths of at least 52 people.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma. The matter is scheduled for mention on March 4, 2026.
The same group was later arraigned before the Mombasa Law Courts before Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Wambo, where they faced additional charges of manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that between January and July 2025, at Kwa Binzaro area in Chakama, the accused unlawfully caused the deaths of 29 people. The case will also be mentioned on March 4, 2026.
In a separate proceeding at the Mombasa High Court, the accused were presented before Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo in relation to murder charges.
However, plea taking did not proceed.
Justice Kagendo directed that all the accused persons undergo mental assessment at a hospital before taking plea.
The matter is set for mention on March 4, 2026, for further directions and possible plea taking.
The cases are being prosecuted by a team led 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.
