Shakahola: Gruesome details surface as Mackenzie's manslaughter case begins

Hearings for the manslaughter case against Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 95 co-accused individuals began today at the Shanzu Magistrate Court in Mombasa.

The suspects face 238 charges of manslaughter in connection with the tragic events at Shakahola Forest, where over 400 bodies were exhumed.

During the opening statements, Senior Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina and Peter Kiprop outlined a chilling scheme by the accused to cause mass deaths through starvation, targeting all members of their church, including children.

Jami emphasised the scale of the tragedy, highlighting that 238 adults and over 191 children were among the victims. He described the case as a severe abuse of faith and a shocking erosion of humanity.

The prosecution has lined up about 90 witnesses, including 13 protected ones, to testify in court.

These witnesses are expected to provide crucial evidence regarding the events at Shakahola Forest between 2020 and 2023, presenting both direct and circumstantial accounts.

Investigations into reports of self-imposed starvation in Shakahola Forest led to the discovery of at least 429 bodies buried in shallow graves.

"The accused engaged in starvation and other extreme practices, resulting in the deaths of over 429 people," he added.

The prosecution argued that the accused, led by Mackenzie under the Good News International Church, acted on false religious teachings and a suicide pact, with the intent of witnessing mass deaths through starvation.

Search team members are pictured next to bodies found in the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County on June 3, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

By the end of the case, the prosecution believes it will be evident that the accused had a common intention to die, leading to the victims' deaths.

Led by Senior Assistant DPPs Peter Kiprop and Jami Yamina, the prosecution team includes Principal Prosecution Counsels Alex Gituma, Juma Victor Owiti, and Betty Rubia, alongside Counsels Victor Simbi, Hilary Isiaho, and Yassir Mohamed.

Additionally, the prosecution has requested the withdrawal of charges against 57-year-old Mary Charo, who passed away while in custody.

Last week, Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku was informed of the discovery of 429 bodies, including men, women, and children, who had starved to death and were found in shallow graves within the Shakahola forest.

The prosecution presented evidence alleging that Paul Mackenzie, along with his 95 co-accused, orchestrated a suicide pact where children were the first to perish, followed by their mothers and then their fathers, all under the false belief of achieving religious victory.

Prosecutors highlighted that Mackenzie and his co-accused played a central role in promoting extreme religious doctrines at Good News International Church. These teachings reportedly led followers to engage in starvation as part of the pact.

The prosecution is confident that the trial will reveal the full extent of the suicide pact and the culpability of each accused. They will argue that all the defendants shared a common intention that resulted in the tragic deaths of the victims.