Makenzi associate in Shakahola case dies while in prison custody

A close associate of controversial pastor Paul Makenzi, accused of orchestrating the Shakahola tragedy that claimed more than 450 lives, has died while in custody.

Kevin Sudi Asena, also known as Shitemi Alfred, passed away on Sunday at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH), where he had been admitted after his condition worsened in prison. He had reportedly refused to take prescribed medication, citing religious beliefs.

Asena is the fifth among about 30 suspects linked to the alleged doomsday cult whose followers were reportedly encouraged to starve in anticipation of meeting Jesus Christ.

Authorities say he had been unwell for some time after his arrest and was first taken to hospital on May 10 as an outpatient before being discharged. However, his health deteriorated again on May 14 after he declined treatment.

According to police reports, Asena justified his refusal by quoting biblical passages, including Luke 8:43–46, Jeremiah 17:5, Matthew 10:15–18 and Psalms 103:2–6.

Prison officials later returned him to CGTRH for urgent care, where he was admitted but died while undergoing treatment. “We regret to report the death of an unconvicted prisoner, Kevin Sudi Asena, which occurred at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital where he was admitted and receiving treatment,” a police report stated.

Multiple charges 

His family has been given 21 days to identify the body and participate in a postmortem. Should they fail to do so, authorities say a postmortem will still be conducted before the body is disposed of by the state, in line with procedure.

Asena, from Kisenya village in Mungoma Location, Vihiga County, had been in custody for almost three years following his arrest on June 14, 2023. He faced multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, child torture, radicalisation, facilitation of terrorism acts, and participation in organised criminal activity under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Investigators described him as a former mechanic who left Vihiga after being influenced by Makenzi’s televised end-times sermons. He is also alleged to have been a key figure in coordinating cult activities, even while in detention.

Detectives further linked him to alleged roles in the Shakahola Forest deaths, where victims, including children, were reportedly starved. He is also suspected of involvement in the Kwa Binzaro cult deaths that claimed over 50 lives.