Court hears grim details from Shakahola teen cult survivor on forced starvation
The court heard that within the secluded Shakahola forest, individuals were designated specific responsibilities, including village leadership, enforcement of discipline, and internal security.
A teenage survivor of the Shakahola cult gave a harrowing testimony at the Mombasa Law Courts, painting a grim picture of how roles were systematically assigned to facilitate what prosecutors allege was a mass starvation cult orchestrated by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.
The 15-year-old, identified in court as GN to protect his identity, testified as a prosecution witness in the ongoing manslaughter case against Mackenzie and 94 co-accused persons.
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The court heard that within the secluded Shakahola forest, individuals were designated specific responsibilities, including village leadership, enforcement of discipline, and internal security.
According to the witness, the "security team" played a pivotal role in both deterring escapes and alerting members of approaching law enforcement officers. They reportedly carried whips and machetes and enforced cult rules with violence.
The teenager recounted how he and a friend, desperate after fasting for 11 consecutive days without food or water, attempted to flee but were apprehended by two security enforcers and returned to Mackenzie’s homestead.
The witness also described how teachings were passed during Saturday gatherings. He claimed that Mackenzie often preached that Jesus would not return and that salvation could only be achieved through death by starvation.
He mentioned one such meeting, attended by him, his mother, and his brother, allegedly outlined a grim fasting order, beginning with infants, followed by Mackenzie’s children, then women, and finally men, Mackenzie being last.
He further recalled severe beatings from a man known as Evans for breaching cult rules, while others named as members of the security team included Manu wa Tuk Tuk, Titus, Stefano, Hallelujah, Robert, and Charles.
According to the teen, the group discouraged social interactions, schooling, and seeking external assistance. Followers were instead told to wait for divine provision.
The boy also described the use of fast shelters constructed from black plastic sheeting designed to accelerate dehydration.
The plastic, he said, absorbed heat and was intended to speed up death.
During burials, Mackenzie would allegedly praise the deceased as martyrs and forbid mourning or emotional displays, claiming the deaths were holy.
The witness said he had dropped out of school after being indoctrinated by Good News International Church, which labelled education as evil.
His rescue came after he and his brother secretly passed a distress message to a local herder, who then alerted the police.
The case continues.
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