The Shakahola massacre case involves Paul Mackenzie, a suspected cult leader in Kenya, who is facing charges of terrorism and radicalisation alongside 93 others.
This week, Mackenzie will start facing witnesses in court who are expected to testify against him and disclose the teachings they received from him.
The case revolves around the tragic events in the Shakahola forest, where over 430 members of Mackenzie’s Good News International Church died after being persuaded to starve themselves to meet Jesus.
The witnesses, some of whom are protected, will describe what happened in the forest, how the followers were radicalised, and the details of the teachings and events that led to this tragedy.
The court previously heard that Mackenzie preached that starving oneself to death was the only way to meet Jesus.
Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu, and 93 others have denied the terror-related charges against them.
The state alleges that Mackenzie and his associates promoted extreme beliefs to facilitate ideologically based violence, specifically fasting to death. Additionally, Mackenzie and his associate Smart Mwakalama are accused of facilitating the terrorist act by transporting followers between Shakahola forest and Malindi town.
The trial will take place at the Shanzu court in Mombasa, starting on Monday, July 8. The witnesses will reveal the teachings they received, the individuals responsible for these teachings, how the messages were conveyed, and the specific locations and dates of these activities in the Furunzi area in Malindi between 2020 and 2023.
Furthermore, Paul Mackenzie and his wife face charges of possessing CDs, DVDs, books, and pamphlets intended to instigate terrorist acts, endangering the lives of their church members and followers. The state alleges these materials were used to promote the deadly fasting scheme.
