The fate of controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 28 others convicted over the Shakahola massacre will be determined on Friday, November 6, as the court prepares to deliver their sentences.

The sentencing at the High Court in Mombasa follows their conviction over the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children and one adult, in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County.

In its ruling delivered on October 19, Justice Diana Kavedza found all 29 accused persons guilty of 191 counts of murder, concluding that the prosecution had established their involvement beyond reasonable doubt.

The court heard evidence linking the deaths to an organised system of religious teachings and extreme fasting at Mackenzie’s Good News International Church. The practice allegedly targeted children first before being extended to other followers.

Prosecutors have called for the death penalty for Mackenzie, maintaining that his responsibility in the tragedy and the number of lives lost justify the maximum punishment under the law.

The prosecution has also asked the court to sentence the other 28 convicts to life imprisonment, taking into account their respective roles in the events that led to the deaths.

Mackenzie, however, has appealed for mercy, with his defence team asking the court to consider leniency, rehabilitation and the possibility of reform when determining the appropriate punishment.

The case stems from the discovery of mass graves in Shakahola Forest in April 2023, following investigations into reports of missing people and suspected deaths linked to the religious community.

Since the investigations began, more than 400 bodies have been recovered from the wider Shakahola area, exposing the scale of one of the country’s most devastating cases associated with religious extremism.

Friday’s sentencing is expected to mark a significant stage in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.