cult leader paul mackenzie,paul mackenzie murder case Stories

Court hears grim details from Shakahola teen cult survivor on forced starvation
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 29, 2025

The court heard that within the secluded Shakahola forest, individuals were designated specific responsibilities, including village leadership, enforc...

Shakahola survivor recounts starvation and beatings under Paul Mackenzie’s cult teachings
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 28, 2025

The now 16-year-old, testifying under witness protection as “SBB” before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku, described how his life was upended when his mot...

Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie denies link to new deaths, graves in Kilifi's Binzaro area
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 28, 2025

Mackenzie, who is currently held at Shimo La Tewa Prison, expressed his frustration and shock through his lawyer Lawrence Obonyo, stating that he has...

Paul Mackenzie still influencing cult from prison as six children feared dead in ‘Shakahola Two’
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 23, 2025

Mackenzie, currently in custody and on trial alongside 94 co-accused, is alleged to be directing followers via mobile phone, sparking concerns about t...

Police hunt for 16 missing people in probe into fresh cult activities in Kilifi
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 23, 2025

Police also recovered two human skulls and the fresh body of an unidentified man in nearby bushes. The five-acre parcel, now designated a crime scene,...

Court detains 11 suspects in Malindi over suspected Shakahola forest cult activities
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 21, 2025

The arrests follow renewed fears of a revival of the Paul Mackenzie-led Shakahola cult, whose mass graves, uncovered in 2023, shocked the nation and d...

Twisted faith: How Mackenzie turned scripture into death weapon for followers in Shakahola
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 12, 2025

Testifying before Principal Magistrate Leah Juma, Consultant Forensic Psychologist Dr Oscar Githua explained how Mackenzie used charisma and spiritual...

Shakahola survivors still terrified by Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s name, psychologist tells court
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  May 23, 2025

She said they handled 13 children, many of whom displayed symptoms of deep trauma and grief. Some carried intense anger, while others struggled with s...

Shakahola trial: Children's officer recounts discovery of tortured, emaciated minors
Farhiya Hussein  |  May 22, 2025

Muteti told Principal Magistrate Hon Nelly Chepchirchir that between February and March 2023, Shakahola residents called their office to rescue emacia...

Shakahola massacre: Court hears chilling testimonies of alleged torture as Mackenzie, associates face child abuse charges
Farhiya Hussein  |  May 21, 2025

Helen Mwikali Kimwele, who manages the Mayungu Children’s Centre in Malindi, recalled receiving 43 children in 2017 who had been rescued from GNI-affi...

Shakahola massacre: Court of Appeal reinstates 191 murder charges against Paul Makenzie
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 12, 2025

The judges on Friday emphasised that the 191 charges stem from the same facts and form a single transaction, making them permissible under the law.

Government plans mass burials for Shakahola victims amid DNA identification delays
Farhiya Hussein  |  Apr 08, 2025

Since the exhumation of 429 bodies from the Chakama forest, the government has collected 336 DNA samples. However, only 66 bodies have been positively...

Mackenzie helped secure release of follower who forced his children out of school, court told
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 26, 2025

Mganga said his father removed his siblings, who were in class three and form four, from their education as part of a broader pattern of ignoring soci...

Witness recounts how Mackenzie lured followers to Shakahola, away from public scrutiny
Charles Adinda  |  Mar 03, 2025

The witness said he was given a motorcycle which he used to transport bodies to their mass burial sites.

Shakahola Massacre: Paul Mackenzie's trial postponed to 2025 due to shortage of prosecutors
Amina Wako  |  Nov 11, 2024

Prosecutor Victor Simbi informed the court that the prosecutorial team assigned to the case was severely understaffed due to sudden transfers and addi...

Report finds some religious leaders guilty of using manipulation to commit crimes in places of worship
Mary Wambui  |  Nov 09, 2024

The findings reveal criminal undertones in certain religious groups, with much of this activity conducted in secrecy to evade detection.

Shakahola: Witness recounts how father was recruited as gravedigger, cases of wedding rituals
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 11, 2024

The witness recounted that his father, once an alcoholic, became a devout follower of Mackenzie after discovering his sermons on Times TV in 2019.

Shakahola massacre trial: Witness describes fasting, escape ordeal in hands of Mackenzie
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 10, 2024

The witness revealed that, after fasting for three days in the harsh conditions, he attempted to escape to find food.

Second Shakahola massacre suspect dies in custody
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 09, 2024

Munyambo's death comes after that of Mary Charo Mbita, another accused, who died earlier while in custody at the Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Ombudsman names security chiefs who failed to stop Shakahola massacre
Joseph Ndunda  |  Aug 30, 2024

The Ombudsman wants the Principal Secretary for the State Department of National Security and Administration and the Inspector General of police to ho...

Minor testifies how parents moved by Mackenzie healing miracles converted to Christianity
Mishi Gongo  |  Aug 16, 2024

Additionally, Mackenzie's church provided him with treatment after he fell ill for a while. He prayed for it and got better.

How defilement in Shakahola happened under Mackenzie's nose -Minor
Farhiya Hussein  |  Aug 15, 2024

The minor informed the court that her mother's efforts to have the case reported to the police were thwarted by Mackenzie.

17-year-old girl testifies about forced removal from school, life in Paul Mackenzie's Shakahola cult
Mishi Gongo  |  Aug 13, 2024

The minor revealed that she was forced to fast for 38 days before authorities intervened.

Chilling tale of deception, betrayal and deaths for victims of Shakahola rituals
Farhiya Hussein  |  Aug 12, 2024

State witness recounted the harrowing experience of being manipulated into starving his daughter and wife to death.

Interior CS nominee Kindiki apologises to Kenyans for Shakahola massacre
Farhiya Hussein  |  Aug 01, 2024

Mackenzie allegedly instructed his followers to starve themselves and their children to death as a means of achieving heaven.

Bill proposes hefty fines for preachers who swindle followers with false promises
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 31, 2024

A religious leader who solicits money with promises of “financial favour from God” will be fined Sh5 million or jailed for 10 years.

How Mackenzie’s Shakahola victims suffered under ruthless militia-like gang
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 24, 2024

The court heard that the gang carried out systematic exterminations under an intricate governance system.

Hundreds of cult victims to be buried in Shakahola Forest amid identification challenges
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 11, 2024

Out of the 453 bodies linked to Mackenzie’s teachings, only 34 have been positively identified and handed over to relatives for burial.

How my brother led his family of seven to Shakahola - state witness
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 10, 2024

Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma was forced to adjourn the proceedings after the witness, a senior consultant surgeon, broke down in tears...

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