Kenyan court convicts Paul Mackenzie of murdering 191 people
The verdict concerned 190 children and one adult; sentencing was scheduled for 6 November 2026.
Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, was found guilty in Mombasa of murdering 191 people. The court heard that religious teachings were used to compel followers to fast, and sentencing was scheduled for 6 November 2026.
The court delivered its verdict in Mombasa on 19 October 2026.
The verdict
A court in Mombasa found Paul Mackenzie guilty of murdering 191 people, comprising 190 children and one adult. Mackenzie led the Good News International Church.
The court found that religious teachings were used to compel followers to fast until they died. Mackenzie had denied forcing his followers to fast.
Sentencing and other cases
Sentencing for the murder convictions was scheduled for 6 November 2026. The murder charges concerned deaths in the group; Mackenzie and other leaders also faced separate legal cases, including charges relating to terrorism and child abuse.
The verdict followed a case in which prosecutors presented evidence from witnesses. The conviction is distinct from the sentence, which had not yet been delivered in the reports.
Explore the background
Further reading
Selected background resources to explain the context and concepts behind this story.
Understand the structure and jurisdiction of the Kenyan Court of Appeal, including its decentralization to Mombasa.
THE COURT OF APPEAL OF KENYA - Nairobi
The article mentions a conviction in Mombasa; this official judiciary document explains how the court system operates in that region, providing the institutional context for the legal proceedings.
Review the official US State Department assessment of human rights practices and judicial outcomes in Kenya.
2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Kenya
This stable government report provides a broader, verified context on the legal environment and human rights issues in Kenya, including references to cases in Mombasa, helping to situate the specific conviction within the national legal framework.
Examine the conditions and experiences of prisoners in Kenyan facilities, particularly those facing severe sentences.
Prisoners' Experiences of Crime, Punishment and Death Row
As a research document from the Death Penalty Project, it offers insight into the penal system and the consequences of criminal convictions in Kenya, complementing the news of a major murder conviction.
External links selected for their educational value. They are separate from the sources used to report this story.
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