Heart-wrenching testimonies continue to emerge in the ongoing Shakahola massacre trial, where families are recounting how their loved ones were drawn into Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s cult.
The 57th prosecution witness, Benson Mutimba from Webuye, told the court that two of his children, aged 27 and 16, abandoned school after being convinced that education was evil. His eldest son, a Kibabii University student, claimed Mackenzie was a “true man of God” and persuaded him to sell all his property and move to Shakahola. Mutimba said his son even promised that Pastor Mackenzie would give him a helicopter if he continued following his teachings.
When his children vanished, Mutimba reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Safaricom records later showed that his son sent Ksh 200 to Mackenzie’s phone upon reaching Ukunda in Mombasa County.
Another witness, Jesca Safari Kone, recounted losing contact with her sisters who later traveled to Shakahola, where three of them and five children reportedly died.
Esther Anyango, the 59th witness, told the court that her daughter moved from Likoni to Shakahola with her husband. She later received a call claiming her daughter had died during childbirth. To date, Anyango has not seen her daughter, son-in-law, or grandchildren.
From Embakasi South, Roseline Anivisa Asena shared how her brother, after joining Mackenzie’s church, withdrew his children from school, refused medical care, and burned important documents. She later learned her sister-in-law was rescued from Shakahola, while three children had already died.
The 61st witness, Florence Mwahita Mwaigo, testified that her son, one of the accused, discouraged education and medication. Her daughter-in-law and grandchild both perished in Shakahola.
More witnesses are expected to testify as the prosecution continues to build its case against Pastor Mackenzie and his co-accused over the deaths of 191 people in the Shakahola forest.
