shakahola massacre Stories

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...

Families of Shakahola victims left in limbo as DNA testing faces funding shortfall
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 14, 2025

So far, 333 DNA samples have been tested out of the 453 bodies recovered, yet only a fraction have been matched to their relatives.

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.

Mungatana withdraws Bill seeking to regulate churches citing need for consensus
Lucy Mumbi  |  Nov 27, 2024

The Bill aimed to curb extremism and address the growing challenges posed by unregulated religious organisations.

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...

IG Kanja directs Internal Affairs Unit to replace arbitrarily transferred officers
Mary Wambui  |  Oct 26, 2024

The unit has been struggling with a lack of funds, which consequently affects its detectives' mobility during investigations.

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.

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.

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...

Shakahola massacre: Paul Mackenzie's radicalisation case begins in Shanzu
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 08, 2024

Mackenzie, along with 94 others, faces 13 counts of terrorism-related offences. The court has set marathon hearing dates from July 8-11 and July 22-25...

Shakahola exhumation to resume Monday as DCI reveals fresh details on cult deaths
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jun 06, 2024

Since the inception of the first phase in April last year, a total of 446 bodies have been exhumed.

Shakahola massacre: Seven more bodies found in three graves, total now 436
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jun 03, 2024

The discovery from three gravesites raised the number of bodies to 436 since the first phase of exhumations began last April.

Shakahola Forest exhumations: Detectives launch fifth phase in hunt for missing bodies
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jun 03, 2024

The homicide detectives, led by Director Martin Nyuguto, have spent the last few months mapping and identifying new mass graves.

Shakahola massacre: 422 witnesses lined up in Paul Mackenzie manslaughter case
Farhiya Hussein  |  May 21, 2024

The prosecution confirmed supplying evidence to the defence lawyers, expressing confidence in proving the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Governor Mung'aro issues five-day ultimatum for Shakahola victims bodies to be moved
Abdirahman Khalif  |  May 04, 2024

The governor noted that preserving the bodies was a burden to the already overwhelmed county of Kilifi and a nuisance to the visitors of the hospital.

Shakahola child torture: Paul Mackenzie, 38 others to be served with witness statements
Farhiya Hussein  |  Apr 23, 2024

Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir further directed the prosecution to serve the accused with all exhibits it will rely on in its case.

Shakahola massacre: Paul Mackenzie denied bond in manslaughter case
Farhiya Hussein  |  Apr 15, 2024

The suspected cult leader and 94 of his co-accused will remain in custody until their case is concluded.

Eastleigh Voice's Farhiya Hussein is this year’s Forty Under 40 Achiever 2024 Kenya
Amina Wako  |  Mar 31, 2024

She was previously honoured as the Best Journalist of the Year 2023 at the Mombasa Youth Awards and recognised among the 100 Most Influential Kenyan M...

Shakahola massacre: Paul Mackenzie's lawyer skips court in terror case
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 27, 2024

Lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo was required in court on Wednesday following Mackenzie's March 13, 2024 refusal to attend proceedings in his trial. 

State waives all mortuary fees for Shakahola victims
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 27, 2024

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said they will also offer transport for the deceased back to their ancestral homes

Concerns raised over identification process of Shakahola massacre victims
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 26, 2024

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights's Chairperson Roseline Adede complained that the process was painfully slow adding that by 1 pm only one...

Families of Shakahola victims appeal for state’s help to bury their kin
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 25, 2024

Mwibo lost his mother, sister and niece who were devoted followers of Paul Mackenzie’s church, Good News International.

Human rights body demands justice for Shakahola victims
Barack Oduor  |  Mar 22, 2024

The commission has asked the government to establish a multi-agency/multi-stakeholder de-radicalisation and rehabilitation plan to facilitate the rein...

Shakahola massacre: Families to receive victims' bodies next Tuesday
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 20, 2024

Out of the 429 victims whose remains investigators have found so far in mass graves in the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County, 34 have been identified.

Shakahola massacre: Paul Mackenzie, 38 others denied bond in child cruelty case
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 14, 2024

The case will, however, be expedited to prevent undue delays, Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir said.

Shakahola massacre: Trial delayed as Paul Mackenzie skips court
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 13, 2024

Alleged cult leader Paul Mackenzie refused to attend proceedings in his trial over terrorism-related charges.

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