By Petra Njeri
Paul Nthege Mackenzie, the alleged mastermind behind the Shakahola massacre, weaponized Biblical scripture and conspiracy theories to radicalize his 400 followers into believing his doomsday creed.
While testifying before Shanzu Court, Consultant Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Oscar Githua revealed how the self-proclaimed prophet used charisma with promises of salvation to indoctrinate his followers.
Dr. Githua, conducted psychological evaluations on surviving Mackenzie’s followers, and found many showed signs of extreme radicalization.
From the distinctive dressing, obsessive prayer rituals, to their visibly deteriorated health, these indicators painted a disturbing extent of Mackenzie’s radicalization.
Furthermore, he mentioned five core indicators, directly linking the group to violent extremism.
“These included adoption of sacred values beliefs so deeply held that they justified even death,” Dr. Githua explained.
These red flags, he warned, pointed not just to radical belief, but potential terrorist behavior.
Among Dr. Githua’s discoveries was what he termed as “empathy delusion”.
A warped psychological state where followers believed in assisting their loved ones, including children, to starve to death by withholding food.
He explained that they viewed it as an act of spiritual purity.
“It is unheard of, but some mothers aided their children in dying. This illustrates the depth of their radicalization,” he said.
Mackenzie’s preaching combined distorted biblical interpretations with conspiracy theories.
He preached to his followers that governments were cultic and demonic, warned against modern identity systems like the Huduma Number, and that a global satanic agenda was in play.
“They believed the physical world, including education, healthcare, and government services, was evil. Participation in systems such as the Huduma Number was seen as defiling and a barrier to salvation.” Dr. Githua stated.
His sermons were provocative with extreme titles such as “Anti-Christ,” “The Fallen Babylon,” “Katiba ni Mambo ya Shetani” (The Constitution Is the Devil’s Work), and “Mwanadamu ni Shetani” (Man Is the Devil).
During investigation, investigators found books such a “New World Order “ written by a controversial author, Ralph Epperson, known for perpetuating conspiracy theories.
Dr. Githua noted parallels between the Shakahola massacre and past cult tragedies worldwide noting the signs were similar to historical disasters.
“The signs were consistent with historical cult disasters,” he testified, “This was a copy-and-paste of events in Guyana, Uganda, and the United States.”
He referenced the 1978 Jonestown massacre in Guyana, where over 900 followers of Jim Jones died in a mass murder-suicide.
He also cited the 2000 deaths of 700+ members of Uganda’s Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God and the 1993 Waco siege in Texas, where 88 Branch Davidian followers perished during a standoff with U.S. authorities.
“In all these cases, the followers were isolated in remote areas, cut off from government oversight, and subjected to the absolute authority of a leader who used physical, emotional, and sometimes sexual abuse to maintain control. The groups rejected all forms of government and embraced extreme obedience, ultimately resulting in mass fatalities,” Dr. Githua stated.
The court also heard that Mackenzie directed his followers to move to Shakahola forest, where they isolated themselves while awaiting the apocalypse.
“This isolation, coupled with indoctrination, allowed for unchecked abuse and control,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution stated.
Prosecutors argued that Mackenzie’s teachings and actions were a calculated and dangerous manipulation of faith for extremist ends.