Kwa Binzaro massacre: Makenzi, seven others face crimes against humanity

Controversial preacher Paul Makenzi and seven others appeared before Justice Wendy Micheni at the High Court in Mombasa, where they denied 23 charges of murder as a crime against humanity, on March 9, 2026. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Controversial preacher Paul Makenzi and seven others have been charged with crimes against humanity in connection to Malindi’s Kwa Binzaro massacre.

This is after officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations established that Makenzi planned the massacre while in prison.

Makenzi has been in Shimo la Tewa prison since his arrest in 2023, after facing charges in connection to the killing of 429 people in Shakahola, Kilifi County.

In the fresh charges over Kwa Binzaro massacre, the prosecution believes Makenzi coordinated it through Shallyne Anindo, who is one of his close confidants.

At least 34 bodies have been retrieved from shallow mass graves at the Kwa Binzaro area.

Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro are part of the expansive Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County.

Those charged are Makenzi, Shallyne Anindo alias Ann; Kahindi Kazungu Garama, alias Mlewa; Tom Ochieng Mkonwe, alias Thomas, alias Tomaso; Julius Tuva Luwali, Johnson Gona Richard, Charles Mutua Musee, alias Mzee Mutua; James Kazungu Kahindi, alias Ponda, alias Baba Bura.

The they were charged before Justice Wendy Micheni with 23 counts of crimes against humanity and 23 alternative counts of murder.

The accused persons are said to have unlawfully attacked and killed 23 members and followers of the Good News International Church aged between six months and 18 years.

The offences were allegedly committed on unknown dates between January and July 2025 at the Kwa Binzaro area within Kilifi County.

Charles Mutua Musee, alias Mzee Mutua, and James Kazungu Kahindi, alias Ponda, alias Baba Bura, were each separately charged with one count of accessory to the crimes.

Mutua, according to the prosecution, allegedly received Julius Tuva Luwali at his home in Kanyaa Village, within Mwingi sub-County, on an unknown date between January and July 2025, to help him evade punishment despite knowing he had committed murder.

On the other hand, James allegedly aided Shallyne Anindo alias Ann; Kahindi Kazungu Garama alias Mlewa and Tom Ochieng Mkonwe alias Thomas alias Tomaso to evade punishment despite knowing they had committed murder.

He allegedly committed the offence between 19 and 21 July, 2025 in the Mtopanga area of Bamburi within Mombasa County.

All the accused persons denied the charges, with the judge directing that Makenzi be remanded at Shimo la Tewa Prison while his seven co-accused be held at Malindi GK Prison for two weeks to allow prison authorities to plan their transfer to Shimo la Tewa.

The matter will be mentioned on March 18, 2026.