Preacher Paul Mackenzie and Shallyne Anindo Temba have been charged alongside five others over 29 deaths in the Kwa Bi Nzaro forest, Kilifi County, between January and July 2025. The charges involve suicide pacts and scientific evidence linking Mackenzie to the events. In a separate case, they face radicalization and terrorism charges related to 52 deaths among followers of their church.
Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Ministries church, and Shallyne Anindo Temba have been charged in Mombasa court over 29 murders in the Kwa Bi Nzaro area. The other accused are Kahindi Kazungu Garama (Mlewa), Tom Ochieng Mkonwe (Thomas or Tomaso), Julius Tuva Luwali, and Johnson Gona Richard. They denied the charges, which the prosecution claims arose from suicide pacts.
The first charge concerns the murder of Samuel Owino Owuoyo, identified as MLD BODY 19.07.2025. The remaining 28 deaths involve unidentified persons, with some identified through laboratory references such as BZRB G006 22.08.2025 and BZRB G018 28.08.2025.
In a separate case before the Shanzu court, Mackenzie, Temba, and six others, including Charles Mutua Musee (Mzee Mutua) and James Kazungu Kahindi (Ponda or Baba Bura), face six counts of conspiracy and terrorism. These relate to 52 deaths among followers between January and July 2025 in a radical religious sect.
Temba and Garama are accused of helping acquire the Kwa Bi Nzaro land, while Garama, Luwali, and Gona assisted in transporting victims from Malindi. Additionally, Temba, Garama, Mkonwe, and Musee face charges for possessing memory disks and SD cards with sermons inciting followers to fast to death.
Mackenzie is linked to the events through scientific evidence, including phone records, M-Pesa transactions, and statements from associates. In the Mombasa High Court, they face 25 murder charges involving children aged 1 to 11 years, but a mental assessment has been ordered before pleas. The prosecution opposes their bail.
