Shakahola massacre report unpacks workings of the mind of a cultist

An investigations report tabled before the Senate Committee has lifted the lid on the dark side of preachers manipulating and brainwashing followers.

The report by Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors (KAPC) laid bare the events that could have led to the more than 350 bodies being buried in mass graves at Shakahola.

The discovery of bodies in mass graves prompted President Ruto to institute a 17-member taskforce on May 5, to review legal and regulatory frameworks governing religious organizations in the country.

The task force members are Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop Eli Rop, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Judy Thongori, Rev (Dr) Alphonse Kanga, Bishop Philip Kitoto and Dr Faridun Abdalla.

And as the search and inquiry continues, the report highlights some of the factors that enable cults to thrive and spread. 

“Cult leaders can display a range of characteristics, including narcissism, grandiosity, and a lack of empathy,” says the report titled ‘Investigations of the proliferation of religious organizations and circumstances that led to the Shakahola massacre’.

Cult leaders, according to the report, are often manipulative and usually employ psychological techniques such as love bombing, isolation and manipulation of information to gain and maintain control over their followers. 

The counsellors in their report say cult leaders employ various manipulative techniques like deception, coercive persuasion, emotional manipulation and exploitation of vulnerabilities to control followers.

They have also perfected the art of instilling fear, guilt, and dependency in their followers, making it difficult for them to question or leave. 

Gradual process

The KAPC report cautions that cultism does not happen in a day, it evolves through a gradual process that involves the charismatic leader gaining a following and establishing a set of beliefs and practices.

“The leader presents themselves as the answer to these needs and gradually expands their influence and control,” says the report.

Followers can easily be duped through some techniques which include showering them with affection and attention, creating a sense of belonging and dependency.

To keep them glued, the report states that leaders may also isolate new members from their support networks, making it easier to control and manipulate them.

“Once recruited, cult leaders use a combination of psychological and social control techniques to maintain their followers’ allegiance,” say the counsellors.

It is through such methods that leaders ensure the unquestioning loyalty and obedience of their members.

Pastor Paul Makenzi is in police custody on suspicion of being the mastermind behind the Shakahola massacre.

Described as one of the worst tragedies in the country so far, the cult linked to the controversial preacher of the Good News International Church has so far seen over 300 bodies exhumed.

Several followers rescued from the forest claim the preacher directed them to fast to death on their way to heaven where there is a life of peace and abundance.

Mackenzie was arrested following a tip-off about the existence of shallow graves deep inside the forest where he had established his prayer sanctuary. 

The self-proclaimed pastor, his wife Rhoda Mumbua alongside scores of followers have been arraigned at a Shanzu court in Mombasa.

Contributing factors

Some factors driving the emergence of harmful religious doctrines include the erosion of traditional beliefs, societal changes, increased individualism and globalization.

“Individuals may be drawn to harmful religious doctrines due to unmet psychological needs, such as the need for meaning, purpose, belonging, or identity,” says the counsellors. 

Cult leaders tend to exploit followers’ vulnerabilities by purporting to offer a seemingly fulfilling solution to their needs.

The experts argue that the allure of belonging to a community and having a clear sense of purpose can make individuals more susceptible to indoctrination.

They add that leaders capitalize on various cognitive biases that influence human thinking and decision-making.

“Exploiting these biases enhances the persuasive power of harmful religious doctrines,” noted the counsellors.

In order to tame cultism, KAPC is calling for stringent registration and licensing requirements.

The association of psychologists is that one a church to be registered, the leaders must provide detailed information about their leadership, doctrine, financial practices, and membership.

This should be followed with regular renewal of permits and monitoring. 

“Religious organizations should be subject to financial accountability and transparency measures including regular financial audits, reporting requirements, and oversight of donations and fundraising activities,” notes the counsellors.

Who insist on making sure funds are used for legitimate religious purposes and not for personal gain. 

The regulatory framework should include measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals, such as minors and individuals with mental health conditions. 

This can involve screening procedures, background checks for religious leaders and staff, and the implementation of child protection policies.

Establishing training programmes and professional standards for all religious leaders can promote ethical conduct and responsible leadership.

Going forward

The Committee probing Shakahola deaths is chaired by Senator Danson Mungatana and was given 90 days to wind up the sittings.

The 17-member task force chaired by Reverend Mutava Musyimi is currently collecting views.

Upon completion of public hearings, the task force is expected to come up with recommendations on how religion should be regulated.

However, the regulation proposal has been opposed by a segment of society led by Church and Clergy Association of Kenya (CAK) which comprises different umbrella bodies, and claims the task force was in the first place, un-procedurally constituted.

CAK termed President Ruto’s move to gazette the task force as knee jerk reaction against religious liberty and asked the Head of State to revoke it, and come up with an all-inclusive membership.

Muslim clerics have argued the task-force to first probe how the Shakahola massacre started and continued for such a long time.

‘‘People worship differently, that is why it is hard to understand the standards that the government is going to use to regulate religion. It’s going to be very difficult,’’ said Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi, chairman of National Muslim Leaders Forum (Namlef).