On Sunday, April 23, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives exhumed 18 more bodies in Shakahola village thought to belong to pastor Paul Mackenzie’s followers.
Initially, six bodies were discovered in three shallow graves; one grave contained three bodies, another contained two, and the third contained one.
Later, 12 more bodies were discovered in seven graves, bringing the total number of exhumations to 39.
During the exercise, officers discovered an older woman who was apparently in poor condition in one of the hiding places.
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Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s follower rejects food
The woman, although being on the edge of death, astonished the investigators and members of the Kenya Red Cross when she said she did not want to be saved.
The woman resisted eating and medical attention. The lady forced her mouth shut as the rescuers tried to give her water that had been infused with sugar to give her energy.
The elderly woman gave the rescuers the signal that she preferred to be left to perish.
However, the lady was forcibly put in an ambulance by the police and emergency medical personnel, who then hurriedly transported her to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s Neighbours Speak
Residents of Migingo Village in Malindi, Kilifi County, lifted the lid on controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie’s sole purpose for relocating to the town in 2015 was to convert as many followers to his beliefs.
Speaking to the media, Johnson Katana pointed out that pastor Mackenzie was embroiled in a scuffle with a nearby school after children became his staunch followers and regularly engaged in fasting.
Owing to this, the pastor purchased a field in Shakahola forest where he relocated in 2022. When he left, Katana indicated, he had converted many into his followers at his then newfound church, Good News International.
“His followers began following him one by one. It was not only children who fasted, even adults were at his every beck and call. A lot of marriages dissolved because of the pastor,” he noted.
The neighbours expressed concern after the news of the massacre that occurred at Shakahola forest broke the previous week.
“We are devastated because most of those who died are people who we know very well,” he stated.
The news has gained nationwide attention as influential people from religious and political circles weighed in on the matter.
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Speaking to the media, Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria condemned the act and termed it as extremism where some use the scripture to deceive their followers.
“Religion cannot be and should not be the cause of people losing lives through radical extremism that people have to do exceptional things to gain blessings from God,” he pointed out.
His words were echoed by Evans Omollo, the assistant provost at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi who insisted that all religious leaders ought to be held accountable for their actions.
“Kindly let us not hide under this cover of freedom of expression, freedom of religion and worship that is provided for in our constitution. We must hold pastors accountable,” Omollo affirmed.
On the other hand, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki warned the culprits found guilty of leading the cult movement in Shakahola village, indicating that they will be subjected to severe punishments as subjected by the law.
“While the state remains respectful of religious freedom, this horrendous blight on our conscience must lead not only to the most severe punishment of the perpetrators of the atrocity on so many innocent souls, but tighter regulation (including self-regulation) of every church, mosque, temple or synagogue going forward,” Kindiki stated.
