Enos Amanya has pleaded guilty to 191 counts of murder in the Shakahola massacre case before the High Court in Mombasa. The 47-year-old, known as Hallelujah, admitted his role as an enforcer and gravedigger for cult leader Paul Mackenzie between 2021 and 2023.
The court convicted him on his plea and ordered a victim impact report before sentencing. This marks a key step in one of Kenya’s worst mass death cases, where over 400 bodies were found in shallow graves in Shakahola forest.
Amanya appeared before Justice Lawrence Mugambi on January 16, 2026. He wore a simple shirt and stood calmly in the dock. His lawyer confirmed the plea after talks with prosecutors. The judge asked if he understood the charges.
Amanya said yes and admitted to helping Mackenzie starve followers to death. He dug graves for the bodies as part of the Good News International Church cult. The group believed fasting would lead them to meet Jesus.
The Shakahola massacre shocked Kenya when police found the graves in April 2023. Over 400 people died of starvation, beatings or suffocation. Many were children. Mackenzie led the cult out of Malindi. He preached extreme fasting as a way to heaven.
Followers sold homes and moved to the forest. Amanya acted as his right-hand man, enforcing rules and burying the dead. Prosecutors say he helped hide the bodies to avoid detection.
Amanya’s guilty plea speeds up the case. The court will hear from victims’ families before sentencing. Life in prison or the death penalty could follow, though Kenya has not carried out executions since 1987.
His cooperation might lead to a lighter sentence. Prosecutors could use his testimony against Mackenzie and others. Mackenzie has denied charges in his trial.
Families of the dead sat quietly in court. Some cried during the plea. Over 200 bodies remain unidentified. DNA tests continue at a slow pace. Survivors tell stories of hunger and fear. One said cult members beat those who wanted food. Amanya’s role in that violence came up in charges.
The case highlights dangers of unregulated churches in Kenya. Mackenzie’s group grew unchecked for years. Police ignored early warnings. Now the government pushes for stricter rules on religious groups. A task force reviews church registrations. Some call for bans on extreme teachings.
Amanya comes from Kilifi County. He joined the cult in 2021. Reports say he believed Mackenzie’s messages at first. Later he became an enforcer. His plea might bring closure to some families. But pain lingers for many.
Sentencing is set for next month. The judge wants a full report on the impact. Amanya stays in custody. More pleas from other suspects could follow. This guilty plea moves the Shakahola case forward. It shows accountability for the deaths. Kenya watches closely as trials continue. Justice for the victims remains the goal.