Amos Amanya, also known as Alleluiya, appeared before Justice Diana Kavedza, wearing a distinctive white-and-navy-blue striped religious hat, a deliberate signal of his cooperation. He expressed a desire to plead guilty to murder charges, citing a "Damascus moment" that compelled him to reveal the truth about the Shakahola religious massacre. Amanya had been assigned various tasks within the cult, including digging graves, working as a security guard, and carrying dead bodies to burial sites.
Amanya's confession revealed a deeply personal and tragic burden: he had buried three of his own children, while three others remained missing and presumed dead. As a grandfather through a surviving daughter who fled Shakahola, Amanya expressed deep regret before the court, insisting that despite years of radicalization, he had not lost his faith. He lamented that his family had turned him into an enemy, citing his wife, Ann Anyoso Alukwe, who was charged alongside him and disowned him for confessing.
Amanya recounted how biblical teachings were corrupted into urging followers to fast to death, leading to the tragic end of his family unit. He testified that he had loved his wife, never laid a hand on her, nor betrayed her for fear of sinning, and that a spark of love for her still lingered despite her resentment. Amanya asked the court for forgiveness, stating that he was misguided by the teachings and had suffered loss, including the death of his children and the estrangement of his wife.
During his testimony, Amanya revealed that even in custody, he struggled for spiritual clarity, seeking truth in the Bible. He claimed that a fellow inmate, Asena, sent by cult leader Paul Makenzie, tore pages from Amanya's holy book to deliberately distort its meaning. Amanya believed that Jesus would forgive his grave sins and sought atonement, communicating his desire to plea bargain with the State in October 2025.
Amanya's wife, Ann Anyoso Alukwe, took the stand, laying bare the family's ruinous trajectory. She narrated that Amanya sold their plot in Nairobi to settle in 'Galilaya' before being relocated to Chakama. After their savings ran out, Amanya handed over Sh 20,000 for food, and the family was instructed to travel to Shakahola for a single bag of maize. Anyoso alleged that Amanya took the entire bag for himself, abandoning her and the children to fend for themselves.
Anyoso recounted the harrowing sequence of her children's deaths, with five of the deceased children under 18 years of age. She testified that the children had committed to fast to death, even digging their own graves and informing their father. The mother, also a convict, stated that she could not stop the deaths, which occurred sequentially over several days.
Amanya's confession and plea for forgiveness have significant implications for the Shakahola cult case. His testimony highlights the corrupted biblical teachings that led to the tragic events and the devastating impact on his family. The court will consider Amanya's plea bargain request as the case continues to unfold.
Key points
- Amos Amanya, a key figure in the Shakahola cult, has confessed to murder charges, revealing a tragic family history and the horrors of the cult.
- Amanya's confession highlights the corrupted biblical teachings that led to the tragic events and the devastating impact on his family.
- The court will consider Amanya's plea bargain request as the case continues to unfold.
