Prison call sent family back to Shakahola 'death camp' where six children died, court told

Two protected witnesses have told a court in Shanzu, Mombasa County, how a phone call from preacher Paul Mackenzie while he was in prison convinced their family to return to Kwa Binzaro, where their six children later died.

Testifying before Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma, the female witness, identified as LA, said Mackenzie called her husband, JO, urging him to return to the “wilderness” to fast to death in preparation for meeting Jesus.

She said Mackenzie claimed those who had died in the Shakahola massacre were in heaven and told JO that his first wife, who also died in Shakahola, was in paradise.

After speaking with Mackenzie for about 20 minutes, LA said they agreed to return because they believed his teachings would lead them to salvation. Her testimony corroborated that of her husband, who earlier described how Mackenzie’s teachings allegedly led to the deaths of their six children.

JO told the court he lived in Shakahola between May 2021 and February 2023, where followers attended teachings under “Mitola” trees. He said Mackenzie instructed them to reject the Bible, describing it as merely a signpost that points the way, but cannot accompany believers. Instead, followers were told they could communicate directly with Jesus, which JO interpreted as Mackenzie presenting himself as Jesus.

He testified that followers were instructed to lie to government officials and anyone outside the movement because they were considered evil. Marriage, employment and formal education were also discouraged, with followers told they were unnecessary for those preparing for heaven.

JO told the court he witnessed several people die from starvation, including his six children, aged between two and 16 years. Recounting one incident, he said his four-year-old repeatedly cried for milk tea before dying. After the child died, several followers shouted, “Amepenya”, a term they used to signify that someone had gone straight to heaven.

The witness became emotional as he described watching one of his children cry out the names of family members, siblings and teachers while begging for help. He alleged that other followers prevented him from intervening. He also claimed to have witnessed two co-accused, Tom and Kahindi, suffocating victims, including a man identified as Owino.

LA told the court she had initially belonged to Voice of Salvation Church before joining Good News International Ministries, where she embraced Mackenzie’s teachings.

She said followers were taught that education, employment and medical treatment were sinful. They were told that hospitals represented evil and that national identity cards were “the mark of the beast”. She further claimed that while living in Shakahola she witnessed Mackenzie transform into a snake before allegedly biting her husband.

The family was among those rescued from Shakahola Forest. Mackenzie, alongside Shallyne Anindo Temba and six others, is facing murder charges over the Kwa Binzaro deaths.