Controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie secretly ate food while in police custody. This startling revelation was made in court by a police witness.
At the same time, Mackenzie’s followers refused to eat, believing fasting would save them from criminal charges.
The dramatic claims emerged during the ongoing trial of the Shakahola cult leader.
The Courtroom Revelation
According to a lengthy report published by the ODPP via X, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Noor Abdi testified about the preacher’s actions. ASP Abdi is the former Officer Commanding Malindi Police Station.
Mackenzie and several co-accused were held there between 6 June and 14 June 2023.
The ASP narrated that Mackenzie had been separated from the rest of the suspects. An informer later reported the secret eating.
“Your honour, we separated Mackenzie from the rest of the suspects, and our informer reported that Mackenzie ate while in the cell but did it secretly, so that his followers would not notice,” Abdi stated.
Fifteen of the suspects reportedly refused to eat for eight days straight. They insisted their hunger strike was spiritual.
The detained followers grew extremely weak during this time. They declined medical assistance, believing their fasting was for divine intervention.
The Scale of the Tragedy
Mackenzie, a self-proclaimed pastor, stands accused of encouraging over 400 followers to starve themselves.
He allegedly told members of his Good News International Church to stop eating to "meet Jesus" quickly.
READ MORE: Why Pastor Mackenzie Wants Gov’t to Stop Giving Him Special Treatment in Jail
The case involves Mackenzie and 92 co-accused facing numerous charges. These include terrorism and organised crime offences.
The shocking discovery in April 2023 led to the recovery of 429 bodies from mass graves in the remote Shakahola forest.
Subsequent reports indicate the total number of recovered bodies tragically surpassed 400.
The prosecution intends to call over 400 witnesses during the ongoing manslaughter trial.
Background of Custody Claims
The revelations in court are not the first regarding Mackenzie’s actions while detained.
The preacher, who is held at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison, has previously voiced concerns about his own safety. He claimed there was a plot to assassinate him in prison.
He voiced grave concerns about his meals. He alleged that he found poison placed near his food container.
“I'm seeking an order that I should be allowed to queue with others in the block. Kuwekewa chakula mahali watu wengine wote wanakula, nisiwe treated special anymore,” Mackenzie requested in court.
The preacher feared that being given 'special treatment', such as isolated food, made him vulnerable to harm. Following his application, the court ordered that Mackenzie be allowed to queue with other inmates for his meals.
Indoctrination from Remand
Furthermore, authorities faced challenges concerning Mackenzie's continued influence. The controversial pastor had access to his phone while in remand.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed this access.
READ TOO: Murkomen: This is Why Pastor Mackenzie Has a Phone in Remand
Murkomen explained that because Mackenzie was in remand, denying him his phone was legally complicated.
It was reported that Mackenzie used this phone access. He was allegedly calling his followers, praying for them, and continuing to indoctrinate them from prison.
The Human Cost
The prosecution also presented heartbreaking testimonies from victims. Mr Stephen Mwiti recounted how his wife became obsessed with Mackenzie’s sermons.
Mwiti’s wife eventually fled their home. She took their five children and joined the Shakahola community while pregnant with their sixth.
Mwiti later learned that his wife and all six children, including a one-month-old baby, had disappeared. He now seeks justice through the court.
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