How Police Officer Resigned From His Job to Serve Pastor Paul Mackenzie Before His Death in Shakahola

The prosecution presented four additional witnesses on Monday in the ongoing Shakahola manslaughter trial involving Pastor Paul Mackenzie and five co-accused persons facing 29 counts of manslaughter.

The co-accused are Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali and Johnson Richard.

Prosecutors allege the accused jointly caused the deaths of 29 people.

The alleged deaths occurred between January and July 2025 in Kwa Binzaro Village, Chakama Location within Magarini Sub-County in Kilifi County.

Family’s Journey Into Mackenzie’s Teachings in Shakahola

Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Wambo presided over the proceedings virtually.

During the hearing, prosecution witness Japheth Lennox shared his family’s experience with Pastor Mackenzie’s teachings.

Lennox told the court his family first encountered the teachings through Times TV broadcasts.

At the time, the family lived in Migori County.

According to Lennox, the sermons warned followers against receiving the “mark of the beast.”

Additionally, the teachings discouraged people from seeking medical treatment. Instead, followers were taught that prayer alone could cure illnesses.

Also Read: Shakahola Massacre: How Pastor Mackenzie Described Deaths as Weddings to Lure His Followers

Furthermore, the sermons portrayed formal education as part of a corrupt worldly system.

Lennox testified that his father embraced those teachings.

His father, Seth, worked as a prison officer with the Kenya Prisons Service.

However, Seth resigned from his job in 2021, saying he could not “serve both the beast and the Lord.”

After resigning, Seth remained committed to Pastor Mackenzie’s teachings.

Witness Describes Family’s Disappearance 

Lennox further testified that his father invited him to relocate to Shakahola.

However, he declined because he believed he was still too young.

Later, in March 2025, his parents informed him they were relocating to Kisii.

However, events took an unexpected turn the following month.

Lennox said he tried contacting his father in April 2025, but the phone remained unreachable.

Then, in June 2025, Lennox received an anonymous phone call from someone with a coastal accent.

According to Lennox, the caller simply stated, “They have left us.” He understood those words to mean his parents and siblings had died.

Since then, Lennox said he has neither seen nor heard from his family.

Meanwhile, investigators continued gathering evidence. Later, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations contacted Lennox.

Also Read: DCI, The Man Behind Shakahola, is Dead

The officers informed him about the DNA results.

According to his testimony, the DNA samples he provided matched some of the bodies recovered from Shakahola.

Additionally, the prosecution called two more witnesses: Meresia Adhiambo Juma and Titus Omondi.

Titus Omondi is Seth’s elder brother. Their testimonies formed part of the prosecution’s ongoing case.

Meanwhile, the court continues hearing evidence against Pastor Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused.

DPP seeks to prove the 29 manslaughter charges before the court.

The defence will have an opportunity to respond after the prosecution closes its case.

The matter will proceed with the hearing of further prosecution witnesses in the coming sessions.