"Mackenzie always stressed that the relocation to Shakahola was urgent and could not be delayed"

BY ERIC ABUGA

The Court Tononoka Chilrden's Court has heard that cult pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie  consistently urged his followers to abandon their homes, declaring that “the church is no longer in the homes but in the wilderness.” 

He could instruct his followers to urgently relocate to Shakahola forest with a reinforced a central theme: 'Shakahola as the chosen ground to await the return of Christ and the end of time.'     

The Court's Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir heard that messages dating back to September 2020 showed Mackenzie proclaiming that he had already “completed his mission” and was now waiting in the wilderness for the Lord. 

Chats from 2022 and 2023 revealed followers repeatedly seeking guidance on when to move, with Mackenzie stressing that the relocation was urgent and could not be delayed.

The revelations were made in Court by a senior Digital Forensics Expert who placed cult leader Mackenzie at the center of the Shakahola starvation deaths, after presenting damning mobile phone evidence in court.

Chief Inspector Joseph Kolum, the 65th prosecution witness, testified that he examined two phones, allegedly used by Mackenzie. 

The devices contained SIM cards and thousands of WhatsApp messages exchanged between the accused and his followers.

The forensic officer testified that the chats contained instructions to withdraw children from school. 

In one exchange, a mother complained that her child suffered “spiritual attacks” while wearing a school uniform. Mackenzie advised her to stop sending the child to school. He also directed mothers not to seek medical treatment for their sick children.

The forensic analysis, conducted on April 13, 2023, produced a voluminous 74,658-page report using the Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED). The extracted data revealed recurring discussions on fasting, prophecy, the Antichrist, the Beast, the New World Order, and the number 666.

Financial records extracted from the phones indicated that followers pledged contributions to Mackenzie for the purchase of land at Shakahola, which he designated as the site for fasting and awaiting the end of the world. 

The data also included PDF documents, audio sermons, and YouTube links with apocalyptic teachings disseminated after the closure of his Malindi-based Furunzi GNI Church.

Mackenzie and 35 co-accused persons are facing multiple charges, including cruelty, torture, and denial of education to children, in relation to the Shakahola massacre.