Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his 94 followers were on Thursday, January 18, 2024, charged with five counts of terrorism-related charges over their involvement in the starvation cult that killed more than 400 people in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.

The suspects were arraigned at Shanzu Law Courts, where they denied all charges, including engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and being in possession of an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012.

The members of the Good News International Ministries are accused that on various dates between 2020 and 2023 they engaged in organized criminal activities at Kwa Mackenzie area of Shakahola Forest, Chakama Location of Magarini Sub-County within Kilifi County, endangering lives and killing 429 members and followers

They are also accused of promoting and/or adopting an extreme belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence namely fasting to death by advancing religious change, which occurred between 2020 and 2023 at Shakahola Forest within Kilifi County.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons facilitated the commission of a terrorist act by transporting the members and followers of Good News International Ministries between Shakahola Forest and Malindi Township within Kilifi County, thereby endangering their lives.

"Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and two others, within the same period at Furunzi area in Malindi Sub-County within Kilifi County, were found knowingly in possession of CDs, DVDs, books and pamphlets for use in instigating the commission of a terrorist act, namely endangering the lives of the members and followers of the Good News International Ministries," the prosecution told the court.

The prosecution, led by the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Victor Mule, has opposed the release of the accused persons on bail or bond.

The accused persons, who have been in custody since April last year, will know their fate on February 8, when the court is scheduled to rule on the prosecution's application.

Mackenzie and his aides are also facing murder and manslaughter charges.