The prosecution received a go-ahead to formally charge Good News International Church leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his co-accused over the deaths of 52 people at the Binzaro homestead in Kilifi County.
In a ruling delivered by Malindi Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Wesonga, prosecution was granted additional time to coordinate the production of all suspects, paving the way for a joint plea-taking scheduled for February 11, 2026.
Thus, Mackenzie, who is currently remanded at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison where he is facing Murder, Manslaugher, Radicalization among other charges related to offences against children, will be brought to court on that date, while the remaining suspects will remain in custody at Malindi GK Prison pending plea-taking.
In the Binzaro case, Mackenzie and his colleagues will face a raft of serious charges, including engaging in organised criminal activities under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, radicalisation and facilitation of terrorist acts under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and murder contrary to the Penal Code.
The Prosecution informed the court that Mackenzie is reasonably suspected to have masterminded and overseen the commission of the offences, using radical teachings and coordinated structures to lure victims to the remote Binzaro homestead.
The court heard that investigators recovered handwritten notes from cells occupied by Mackenzie, allegedly detailing transactions conducted through mobile phones.
The suspects were arrested on 19th July 2025 at Binzaro Village, Makongeni B Sub-Location, Chakama Location, Malindi Sub-County, following extensive investigations.
The matter is being prosecuted by Racheal Amala, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
These fresh charges come two weeks after the DPP registered significant success in a related case when Mackenzie’s co-accused Enos Amanya alias Halleluhya pleaded guilty to committing 191 murders in a separate case at the Mombasa High Court.
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