Shakahola cult: Mackenzie used scripture, conspiracy theories to lure followers

The prime suspect in the Shakahola massacre, Paul Nthege Mackenzie, used scripture and conspiracy theories to radicalise his followers and advance a doomsday ideology that resulted in the deaths of more than 400 people, a court has heard.

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

He said the teachings of Mackenzie’s under the Good News International Church were so extreme that families viewed starvation and death as spiritual victories.

Dr. Githua, who examined several of Mackenzie’s followers, told the court that many displayed signs of intense radicalisation including changes in appearance in their dressing, obsessive prayer routines and visible signs of physical deterioration.

He outlined five indicators that linked the group’s activities to violent extremism and potentially terror related behavior.

Among the most disturbing findings was what he termed “empathy delusion”, a psychological condition in which followers believed that helping loved ones, including children, die of starvation was a righteous act.

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

The court also heard that Mackenzie preached apocalyptic messages laced with conspiracy theories, often condemning modern identity systems like the Huduma Namba as tools of evil.

His sermons reportedly bore titles such as “The Fallen Babylon” and “The Constitution is the Devils Work,” often framing the government and modern systems as demonic or satanic in nature.

Investigators also recovered conspiracy-themed literature from Mackenzie’s compound, including The New World Order by American author Ralph Epperson.

Dr. Githua likened Shakahola case to other cult tragedies, including the Jonestown massacre in Guyana, the movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments in Uganda, and the Waco siege in the United States, all involving charismatic leaders who exercised unchecked control over isolated communities with deadly consequences.

The court further heard that Mackenzie encouraged his followers to relocate to the remote Shakahola forest to await what he called the end times.

The isolation, prosecutors argued, allowed him to enforce his ideology without opposition.