Malindi, Kenya – In the remote forests near Malindi, survivors are still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating massacre at the Good News International Church, orchestrated by their once trusted pastor, Paul Mackenzie. The catastrophe, unveiled during a police raid 17 months ago about 40 miles from Malindi, left a haunting legacy of over 436 recovered bodies, including 191 children.
Paul Mackenzie, the church’s founder, faces charges ranging from multiple counts of manslaughter to the murder of children, having convinced his congregation to follow him into isolation under the guise of awaiting the end of the world. The once charismatic leader demonstrated a sinister shift from performing alleged miracles to enforcing extreme measures, including starvation, as a test of faith.
A former street vendor turned religious leader, Mackenzie established the church in 2003 following an apprenticeship with a local preacher. His influence expanded quickly, attracting members nationwide, including professionals from diverse sectors. Despite rising fame, his controversial stands against formal schooling and vaccinations earned him notoriety, escalating to a 2019 arrest after opposing government-mandated national IDs, which he claimed were ‘satanic.’
In a dire twist, Mackenzie relocated his congregation to Shakahola, leasing 800 acres in a forest populated by wild animals. Here, members were isolated in villages with biblical names, paying fees to build homes in this secluded setting. According to Salama Masha, a former member who escaped, Mackenzie’s control became draconian, tragically evidenced when he ordered children to fast unto death.
Authorities, during the raid on Shakahola, discovered horrifying conditions with emaciated parishioners and a stark contrast revealed as they found basic food items untouched in Mackenzie’s possession while his followers starved nearby. Autopsy reports from over 100 bodies indicated deaths caused by starvation, asphyxiation, and violent injuries.
Survivors recount systemic abuse and a draconian regime where attempts at escape or breaking fasts were met with brutal repression. A woman, preferring anonymity, shared her harrowing ordeal of sexual assault during her time in the church. These chilling narratives underscore a regime of terror under Mackenzie’s rule, often referred to by his followers as “paapa,” a self-bestowed title underscoring his authoritarian control.
Robert Mbatha Mackenzie, a relative of Paul Mackenzie, described the church leader’s sway over his congregation as monarchic, revealing the extent of his brother’s influence in creating a tightly controlled community.
Local gravedigger Shukran Karisa Mangi, deeply disturbed by his discoveries, believes there could be more undisclosed mass graves in the area, a grim testament to the extent of the massacre. The toll is heavy on survivors and families of the victims, like Priscillar Riziki, who mourns the loss of her daughter and three grandchildren to the cult.
Despite the ongoing investigation, many locals, including village elder Changawa Mangi Yaah, express frustrations over the delayed justice and lackluster response from local authorities to prior alerts about the cult’s activities. The case of Paul Mackenzie and the Good News International Church remains a bleak chapter in the history of the region, leaving the community to grapple with the deep scars and unanswered questions surrounding the many lives lost in Shakahola.