Court Hears Harrowing Details as Judge Reads 1,000-Page Judgment In Paul Mackenzie’s 191-Count Murder Trial

Some children wore new clothes in eager expectation of ascending to heaven, while others pointed out where their earthly bodies should be buried. Mothers watched their children starve to death, and siblings witnessed each other waste away.

These chilling accounts emerged in court as High Court Judge Diana Kavedza-Mochache read a lengthy judgment detailing witness testimonies surrounding the Shakahola forest deaths, where self-proclaimed cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his followers had retreated to “escape the vagaries of the condemned world”.

As the judge traversed the 1,000-page document, Mackenzie—clad in a red-and-black striped T-shirt—sat stoically, his expression remaining flat throughout the harrowing recounting.

Disturbing Revelations from the Forest Compound

The judgment, which commenced at 9:40 a.m. in a temporary tented courtroom at the Mombasa Law Courts, shed light on the psychological manipulation used within the 4,860-acre forest compound in Malindi.

Justice Mochache recounted testimonies showing that Mackenzie had assured his followers they would all reach heaven, even if the ordeal involved “mangumi na mateke” (kicks and blows). He further told them that he would be the final person to die, claiming he would “close the door on earth” after every follower had ascended.

Courtroom Atmosphere and Trial Details

Surrounded by heavy security and a large contingent of local and international journalists, Mackenzie listened intently alongside his 30 co-accused. Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga was present in person as the court outlined its findings.

Given the exhaustive nature of the reading, the judge ordered a short recess around 2:00 p.m. after more than four hours of continuous proceedings, providing relief to those packed inside the makeshift courtroom before resuming at 2:30 p.m.

Of the 429 bodies exhumed from mass graves in Shakahola Forest, 191 victims—190 of whom were children aged 16 and below—form the primary basis of the murder charges in this trial.