The Shakahola massacre trial took a dramatic turn in a Mombasa court after a self-confessed suspect gave harrowing testimony alleging that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie directly supervised grave digging and burials inside the forest settlement at the centre of the case.
Enos Amanya Ngala, also known as “Haleluya”, who recently changed his plea and admitted involvement in the crimes, delivered a detailed and emotional account before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku.
At one point, the 51-year-old broke down as he described how six of his own children died following strict fasting directives he said were issued by Mackenzie.
The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case against Mackenzie and 94 co-accused persons facing 283 counts of manslaughter linked to the deaths of 429 people in the Shakahola tragedy.
Self-confessed Shakahola suspect explains how Mackenzie supervised grave digging, burials.
The DPP today gained significant ground at the Shakahola massacre trial after a self-confessed suspect told a Mombasa court that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie personally supervised… pic.twitter.com/snjYvKKMlC— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) February 24, 2026
During questioning by state prosecutors led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina, alongside members of the prosecution team, Amanya admitted he took part in burial operations within the settlement.
He told the court he dug graves, provided security and conducted burials during both day and night shifts under instructions he attributed to the preacher.
According to the witness, some burials were personally overseen by Mackenzie, who allegedly instructed followers to conceal graves using black soil and to plant maize and beans over the sites to avoid detection by authorities.
Amanya also named several of his children who died during the period. His only surviving daughter has already testified for the prosecution against both her parents.
In addition to describing burial activities, the witness claimed he was financially exploited.
He told the court he sent Sh95,000 to Mackenzie and Sh100,000 to Good News International deputy pastor George Mwaura for land, building materials and church-related items, including a hard drive containing sermons, but said he never received ownership of any land.
He traced his radicalisation to 2019 after joining Good News International Church through sermons he watched on Times TV.
He later relocated his family from Nairobi to Malindi and eventually to Shakahola, following teachings that discouraged education, modern medicine and mainstream religion.