Shocking new revelations suggest that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, the main suspect in the Shakahola massacre, continues to exert influence over cult activities from his prison cell.
Fears are growing that six children from one family are among the latest victims in what appears to be a renewed wave of the Shakahola deaths. The siblings, who survived the initial massacre, were not as fortunate this time—raising alarm that Mackenzie’s deadly grip still lingers despite his incarceration.
The six children—Flora (15), Mary (14), Christine (10), Shadrach (6), Esther (4), and Tonny (1)—were reportedly buried in a settlement within Kwa Binzaro village, deep inside Chakama Ranch. The children were part of a family of eight rescued during the 2023 Shakahola operation and later relocated to Nyadorera in Siaya County.
However, in March of this year, Jairus, the head of the family, lied to his extended family, claiming he had been offered employment in Bondo, along with his entire nuclear family. Instead, he boarded a bus with his wife and children, heading back to Kilifi to rejoin the controversial religious sect led by Paul Makenzie.
The parents, Jairus and Lilian Atieno, are among four people who were rescued and later arrested from the forest on Saturday.
A close relative told Citizen TV that he managed to speak with Jairus and Lilian while they were in police custody. According to him, both parents confessed that their six children had died.
“To tell the truth, the children are dead, because he confirmed it to me himself. When I found him at the police station, I was allowed to ask him. He told me the children died and were buried. His wife also told me the same,” the relative said.
He further claimed that Mackenzie continues to manipulate his followers from behind bars.
“This ideology is still going on, and Mackenzie being in prison doesn’t mean anything. He still has his followers outside. He is in prison but operates using a phone. When we were at the DCI, I asked Jairus when he had planned to die, and he said Mackenzie prayed for him over the phone while he was fasting. This week, he ran off to seek help because his fellow followers wanted to kill him after he changed his mind following his children’s deaths,” he said.
Human rights activists warn that deaths linked to the cult may be rising again.
“The government must find a way to control phone use, especially for those charged in Shakahola One,” said Mathias Shipeta, Rapid Response Officer at Haki Africa.
“We have received information that Mackenzie and his accomplices are still preaching the gospel of fasting unto death via mobile phones, which, according to the prison service, they are entitled to use for communicating with family. But deeper investigations show they are not speaking to family.”
“I ask the government to put an end to this Shakahola issue completely… It should not continue. It seems people are regrouping in the forest.”
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