By Joyce Nzomo
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has officially closed its first case in the Shakahola massacre trial involving controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 35 of his co-accused.
The case, focusing on crimes against children, began on 24th July 2024 and concluded today before Principal Magistrate Hon. Nelly Chepchirchir at the Tononoka Children’s Court.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina led the prosecution team, supported by Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, alongside Prosecution Counsels Biasha Khalifa and Eunice Odongo.
Over the course of the trial, 76 witnesses testified on charges that include cruelty to children, torture, and denial of the right to education, all connected to the chilling events in Shakahola.
The final day of testimony featured three key witnesses. Safaricom data analyst Dennis Muriithi told the court that the company received a court order requesting call data, M-Pesa registration information, and other subscriber details vital to the investigation.
He confirmed that four numbers registered to Mackenzie were analysed, providing insight into registration dates and last activity before some lines were recycled.
The court also heard from 21-year-old Israel Veronica from Chakama, Malindi, whose parents and uncle are among the accused. She recounted being pulled out of school in 2019 by her father, who deemed education sinful.
The family sold all their belongings, including land, and relocated from Kasarani, Nairobi, to Shakahola to join Mackenzie’s sect.
Inspector Phoebe Okomo of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Children Protection Unit in Mombasa testified about the rescue of 27 children, aged between one-and-a-half and 17 years, from Malindi. She described life in Shakahola, where children lived in estates named Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem, often gathering under a large tree for prayers and burial ceremonies.
Many escaped during periods of intensified fasting. The children identified Mackenzie in an identification parade and revealed being denied food, subjected to beatings, and prevented from attending school.
Inspector Okomo highlighted specific cases of abuse, including victims who sustained serious injuries requiring corrective surgery. She noted the psychological impact on the children, many of whom received counselling from Play Therapy Kenya and the Directorate of Children Services due to deep trauma.
Okomo also traced familial links between some of the accused and the rescued children, identifying parents, uncles, and guards among them. She concluded her testimony by expressing sympathy to those who lost loved ones and wishing healing for the survivors.
In closing, the prosecution thanked the court, the defence, and all the witnesses who came forward. Mackenzie and his co-accused still face separate murder, manslaughter, and terrorism-related charges in the Mombasa High Court, Mombasa Law Court, and Shanzu Law Courts.
The matter is scheduled for mention on 14th October 2025 to confirm whether proceedings have been fully typed for submission.
