The son of Paul Mackenzie, Dan Mackenzie, has spoken publicly about how he avoided becoming part of his father's religious movement, which ultimately led to the deaths of 191 people in the Shakahola massacre. Dan was present in court when his father was sentenced to 200 years in prison by Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache. The sentence comprised 100 years for murder by starvation and another 100 years for direct homicide. Dan revealed that his reluctance to follow his father's teachings saved him from the tragedy.
According to Dan, his decision to resist attending church and following his father's teachings led Paul Mackenzie to give up on involving him in the movement. Dan described his escape from the cult as a result of rebellion, stating that he didn't want to join or go to church as a kid. This decision kept him away from the Shakahola forest, where hundreds of followers died after allegedly following Mackenzie's instructions to fast in preparation for the end of the world.
Paul Mackenzie founded the Good News International Church in 2017 and attracted a large following before authorities shut down his church premises. He then moved his followers to the remote Shakahola forest in 2019, where they lived in temporary shelters constructed from materials such as polythene sheets and thatch. The settlement was divided into makeshift sections bearing biblical names, including Jerusalem and Judea.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Mackenzie prohibited followers from taking their children to school or seeking medical treatment in hospitals, which he described as satanic institutions. He allegedly instructed members to starve themselves and their children to death so they could reach heaven before the end of the world. Some followers were beaten, threatened, and isolated to ensure they complied with the instructions, while children were reportedly starved while their parents watched.
The Shakahola tragedy came to public attention in March 2023 following a tip-off to police, who subsequently uncovered mass graves across the forest. In Furuni village, residents welcomed the 200-year sentence, describing the judgment as a significant step towards justice for the victims. The local church associated with Mackenzie was reportedly deserted, with its doors permanently shut.
However, the verdict has not received universal support within Mackenzie's extended family. Relatives in Kalasa village, Machakos County, disputed the court's findings, maintained that the preacher was innocent, and accused the court of delivering a judgment influenced by public opinion. They also announced plans to appeal the sentence.
The Shakahola massacre is one of the most significant tragedies in recent Kenyan history, with 191 people losing their lives. The case has raised questions about the regulation of religious movements and the protection of vulnerable individuals. As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, the 200-year sentence serves as a warning to those who would engage in similar activities.
Key points
- Paul Mackenzie was sentenced to 200 years in prison for his role in the Shakahola massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 191 people.
- Dan Mackenzie, the son of Paul Mackenzie, revealed that he escaped his father's influence by resisting his teachings and avoiding the Shakahola forest.
- The Shakahola tragedy has sparked a national conversation about the regulation of religious movements and the protection of vulnerable individuals in Kenya.
