Shakahola tragedy Stories

Father recalls unimaginable pain after identifying missing daughter in Shakahola case
Farhiya Hussein  |  Dec 08, 2025

At a Mombasa court, a Kiambu father described identifying his daughter’s body only by her teeth, as witnesses detailed family losses linked to Pastor...

Shakahola tragedy: Families describe horror as survivors died en route to hospital
Farhiya Hussein  |  Dec 01, 2025

In a Mombasa court, investigators and families detailed how Shakahola survivors died en route to hospital, children were traumatised, and 191 deaths w...

Witness recounts how Paul Mackenzie’s teachings led her to quit career, reject medicine
Farhiya Hussein  |  Nov 27, 2025

The adherent described how teachings attributed to Paul Mackenzie prompted her to abandon her career and shun modern medicine.

Shakahola massacre survivors struggle with trauma and anxiety, court told
Lucy Mumbi  |  Nov 25, 2025

The assessors recommended spiritual counselling, noting that some survivors were distressed after being forced to eat despite preferring to fast.

Paul Mackenzie twisted Bible teachings to mislead followers, court told
Farhiya Hussein  |  Oct 28, 2025

Dr Stephen Gathogo Anyenda said he analysed several of Mackenzie’s sermons posted online and found them to be misleading, radical and contrary to Chri...

Why community vigilance is vital in combating cult killing- Murkomen
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 16, 2025

The CS pointed to weak community structures, citing the Kenya Alliance of Residents Association (KARA), which he said ought to play a stronger role in...

Families ravaged by tragedy as Kwa Binzaro mass graves reveal grim truth
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 13, 2025

The Kwa Binzaro tragedy, much like Shakahola before it, has left families shattered,  parents mourning children, and children left without parents. Fo...

Three Kwa Binzaro cult suspects granted bond pending investigation
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 13, 2025

The trio had been arrested for allegedly selling a five-acre piece of land to the main suspect, Sherleen Temba Anido.

Children’s Officer recounts how minors were rescued from Paul Mackenzie’s followers
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 04, 2025

Omar Mohamed, appearing as the 58th prosecution witness, recounted how the minors were discovered during investigations into the conduct of followers...

Prison boss dismisses Paul Mackenzie's alleged poisoning plot at Shimo la Tewa
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 03, 2025

Abdi Willy Adan said only some of the other suspects had refused food since Wednesday, while Mackenzie’s last hunger strike was recorded back in Febru...

Police admit Shakahola lessons not fully applied after Kwa Binzaro cult deaths
Farhiya Hussein  |  Aug 29, 2025

He emphasised that there had been a disconnect in collaboration among agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), local admi...

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