Children’s officer narrates rescuing 3 minors from Shakahola Cult

A children’s officer has recounted the rescue of three children, who had been withdrawn from school and subjected to forced fasting under the influence of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s radical teachings.

Mackenzie and 34 co-accused individuals are facing charges of child torture, cruelty and denial of basic education.

Ganze Sub-County Children’s Officer Omar Mohamed, who is the 58th prosecution witness in the ongoing Shakahola massacre trial, testified on Thursday.

He told the court that on May 23, 2023, the Kilifi County Security Committee received reports that several children linked to Mackenzie’s followers were no longer attending school.

Following these reports, children’s officers were dispatched on a fact-finding mission.

During the investigation, officials confirmed that some parents had pulled their children from school, citing the belief that education was evil, a doctrine allegedly promoted by Mackenzie.

At one homestead, Mohamed said the team encountered a man who openly condemned schooling and justified his children’s absence based on these beliefs.

Mohamed testified that he interviewed three minors, all of whom confirmed they had been withdrawn from school and subjected to starvation, in line with Mackenzie’s teachings.

The children were immediately rescued and taken to Malindi Police Station before being transferred to Blessed Generation Children’s Rescue Centre.

There, they received medical attention, counselling, first aid and food.

They were later re-enrolled in school, with one girl currently in Form Three at a high school in Nairobi.

Two parents involved in the children’s withdrawal and forced fasting were arrested and are among the accused standing trial.

The court also heard from the 59th prosecution witness, Chief Inspector Klein Kulicha, a crime scene investigator.

He testified that on May 1, 2023, an investigative team visited Mackenzie’s Furunzi-based church, where they collected photographic evidence related to his radical activities.

The team documented the church premises, including Times TV studio, music systems, computers and religious literature.

Investigators also visited Mackenzie’s residence, capturing images of both the interior and exterior of the home.

The case hearing continues.