The Director of Public Prosecutions has brought new charges against controversial religious leader Pastor Paul Mackenzie and seven co-accused individuals following the deaths of at least 52 people in the Kwa Binzaro area of Chakama, Kilifi County.

The fresh prosecution marks another chapter in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the preacher’s alleged involvement in radicalization and organized criminal activities.

Pastor Mackenzie appeared alongside Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali, Johnson Richard, Charles Musee, and James Kahindi before Shanzu Law Courts.

The DPP presented multiple serious charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including engaging in organized criminal activity, two counts of radicalization, two counts of facilitating commission of a terrorist act, and possession of articles connected with terrorism offenses.

According to the prosecution counsel, the alleged crimes occurred between January and July 2025 in the Kwa Binzaro area of Chakama location in Magarini Sub County.

The accused individuals were reportedly members of a radicalized religious sect known as Good News International Ministries, which prosecutors describe as an organized criminal group that endangered the lives of its followers.

The group’s activities allegedly resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 52 people during that period.

The charges detail how the accused persons allegedly promoted an extreme belief system through preaching against government authority, adopted radical beliefs opposing established authority structures, and facilitated terrorist activities.

When the charges were read before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma, all eight defendants entered not guilty pleas.

The court scheduled the next mention for March 4, 2026.

The legal proceedings continued as the accused were transferred to Mombasa Law Court, where they faced additional charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Wambo.

The DPP added manslaughter charges under Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code.

These charges relate to the alleged killing of 29 people on unspecified dates between January and July 2025 in the same Kwa Binzaro location.

In a significant development, the defendants were further arraigned before Mombasa High Court Judge Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo on murder charges.

Justice Kagendo issued an order requiring all accused persons to undergo mental assessment at a hospital facility.

The judge directed that the matter would return to court on March 4, 2026, for plea taking.