Man who lost five relatives in Shakahola gives emotional testimony during Mackenzie trial

A 60-year-old man who lost five members of his family in the Shakahola tragedy gave a heart-wrenching account at the Mombasa High Court on Tuesday, as the murder trial against Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 30 co-accused continued.

Titus Ngonyo Gandi, father of a GSU officer who died in the cult-linked killings, told the court that he had watched his family gradually fall under the influence of extremist teachings long before the deaths.

He recalled that in 2019, his wife, Esther Mbila, began preaching against formal education and warned neighbours to reject all government involvement, including birth certificates, identity cards, and academic documents. Gandi said the changes in her behaviour marked the beginning of a devastating spiral.

"I have buried my wife, two children, including my GSU officer, one grandchild, and my daughter-in-law," he said.

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A 60-year-old man, Titus Ngonyo Gandi, father of a GSU officer who died in Shakahola on Tuesday, narrated to the Mombasa High... pic.twitter.com/UVSbW3fZjs

- Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) December 2, 2025

Another prosecution witness, 23-year-old Robert Kithi, testified that the directive to starve was issued after a meeting allegedly chaired by Pastor Mackenzie, who claimed the order to fast "came from God" as part of preparing followers for entry into heaven.

Kithi, who had previously worshipped at the Good News International Church in Malindi, said Mackenzie declared in 2020 that the church's mission was complete and instructed followers to relocate to Jagwani in Shakahola to await the coming of the Messiah.

Many moved after being told a rapture would occur three years after 2021, ending in mid-2023.

The witness said he initially resisted the starvation order and eventually escaped when the fasting intensified.

While in Shakahola, he was assigned security duties, including guarding a dam from wild animals. He further told the court that he buried two siblings last November, but their mother refused to let him retrieve the bodies, insisting they had "gone to the Messiah."

A Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer, Paul Oguta, also testified, describing the harrowing scenes he encountered upon arrival in Shakahola.

Oguta oversaw post-mortem examinations at Malindi Mortuary, attending 88 procedures and submitting the reports to the court.

"We found several individuals starving under a tree," Oguta said, calling the discovery shocking.

The Registrar of Companies also testified on Tuesday, joining a growing list of witnesses in the high-profile trial, which continues to unfold in Mombasa High Court.