Shakahola cult: Mackenzie exploited scriptures to radicalise followers - Witness

The prime suspect in the Shakahola massacre, Paul Nthege Mackenzie, weaponised scripture and conspiracy theories to radicalise his followers, the court heard on Wednesday.

This, the court was told, paved way for promoting a dangerous doomsday ideology that led to the deaths of more than 400 people. 

Testifying before Shanzu Principal Magistrate Leah Juma, Consultant Forensic Psychologist Dr Oscar Githua detailed how Mackenzie used his influence and charisma to indoctrinate his followers under the guise of religious salvation. 

Dr Githua, who conducted psychological evaluations on Mackenzie’s followers, said many showed signs of extreme radicalisation, evident in their distinct dress, obsessive prayer routines and deteriorated physical condition. 

He identified five core indicators linking the group to violent extremism and potential terrorist behavior. 

“This included adoption of sacred values beliefs so deeply held that they justified even death,” Dr Githua said. 

“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.” 

One of the most disturbing findings was what Dr Githua termed as “empathy delusion,” a psychological condition in which followers believed that allowing or assisting their loved ones, including children, to starve to death was an act of spiritual purity. 

“It is unheard of, but some mothers aided their children in dying. This illustrates the depth of their radicalisation,” he said. 

Mackenzie, through his Good News International Church, preached apocalyptic messages that combined distorted biblical interpretations with conspiracy theories. 

He labeled governments as cultic and demonic, warned against modern identity systems like the Huduma Number, and claimed a global satanic agenda was in play. 

His sermons bore provocative 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).

Investigators also recovered books from Mackenzie’s compound, including “The New World Order” by controversial American author Ralph Epperson, known for promoting fringe conspiracies. 

Dr Githua drew parallels between the Shakahola massacre and other cult tragedies across the globe. 

“The signs were consistent with historical cult disasters,” he said. 

“This was a copy-and-paste of events in Guyana, Uganda and the United States.” 

He specifically cited the 1978 Jonestown massacre in Guyana, where over 900 followers of Jim Jones died in a mass murder-suicide. 

The deaths of over 700 members of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God in Uganda. 

The 1993 siege in Waco, Texas, where 88 followers of David Koresh and his Branch Davidians died in a confrontation with US federal agents. 

“In all these cases, 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,” Dr Githua said. 

“The groups rejected all forms of government and embraced extreme obedience, ultimately resulting in mass fatalities.” 

The court also heard that Mackenzie encouraged his followers to relocate to the remote Shakahola forest to await the end of the world. 

This isolation, coupled with indoctrination, allowed for unchecked abuse and control. 

The prosecution team, led by Assistant DPP Jami Yamina and Senior Principal Prosecution Counsels Juma Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, emphasised that Mackenzie’s teachings and actions constituted a calculated and dangerous manipulation of faith for extremist ends.