By Grace Gilo
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) today officially closed its case in the Shakahola massacre trial involving controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 35 of his co-accused, marking the end of a significant phase in the proceedings on crimes against children that began on 24th July 2024 with the testimony of the first witness.
The prosecution team, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina and supported by Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, alongside Prosecution Counsels Biasha Khalifa and Eunice Odongo, presented a powerful case before Principal Magistrate Hon. Nelly Chepchirchir at the Tononoka Children’s Court.
Over the course of the trial, 75 witnesses took the stand, supporting charges that include cruelty to children, torture, and denial of the right to education, all linked to the harrowing events that unfolded in Shakahola.
On the final day of the prosecution’s case, three pivotal witnesses testified.
Mr. Dennis Muriithi, a Data Analyst at Safaricom PLC; 21-year-old Israel Veronica from Chakama, Malindi; and Inspector Phoebe Okomo from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations – Children Protection Unit in Mombasa.
“Mr. Muriithi testified that Safaricom received a court order requesting call data, M-Pesa registration details, and other information crucial to the investigation. He confirmed that from the retrieved numbers, including four registered to Mackenzie, they were able to trace registration dates and last activity before some numbers were recycled,” stated the ODPP.
“Ms. Israel, whose parents and uncle are among the accused, offered a harrowing account of her childhood. She revealed that she and her six siblings were pulled out of school in 2019 by their father, who claimed education was sinful. Her family later relocated from Kasarani, Nairobi, to Shakahola after selling all their belongings, including land,” ODPP added.
The court also heard from Inspector Phoebe Okomo, who participated in the assessment and rescue of 27 children in Malindi, aged between one-and-a-half and seventeen years.
She recounted how the team interviewed the children to understand their background, the conditions under which they lived, and their experiences at Shakahola.
Most of the children had escaped at a time when fasting had intensified, and all described life in estates named Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem, where they would congregate under a large tree for prayers and burial ceremonies.
“Inspector Phoebe testified that the children identified Mackenzie in a parade and recounted being denied food and sometimes being subjected to beatings. Some were withdrawn from school. She cited specific cases of abuse, including victims like A.B (PW 8), J.N.K (PW 1), S.B.B (PW 9), and E.I (PW 7), the latter of whom required corrective surgery due to injuries sustained,” ODPP noted.
She also detailed the psychological toll on the children, explaining how Play Therapy Kenya and the Director of Children’s Services provided counselling during interviews, as many children displayed signs of deep trauma and emotional breakdown.
Inspector Phoebe concluded her testimony by establishing familial links between some of the accused and the rescued children, including parents, uncles, and even guards. She expressed gratitude to the court, the Prosecution, and the defence team, extending her sympathy to those who lost loved ones and wishing healing to the victims.
In closing, the Prosecution thanked the court, the defence, and all the witnesses who came forward to give their accounts.
Mackenzie and other co-accused face separate murder, manslaughter and terrorism related charges at Mombasa High Court, Mombasa Law Court and Shanzu Law Courts. The matter is scheduled for mention on 14th October 2025 to confirm whether the proceedings have been typed for submission purposes.