Nairobi, Kenya— Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the Shakahola cult and 38 co-accused individuals, have pleaded not guilty to charges of child cruelty and violation of children’s rights. The charges, including child torture, were allegedly committed between 2020 and 2023 in Shakahola Forest.
Appearing before the Tononoka Children’s Court, Mackenzie, who led the Good News International Church, and his co-accused denied all 16 offenses brought against them. Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir presided over the case.
The charges of child torture accuse Mackenzie and his co-accused of slapping and beating 8-year-old and 14-year-old children with sticks on their legs, causing bodily harm on various dates.
The alleged offenses are in violation of Section 25(3) of the Children Act, 2022, as well as Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Torture Act, No. 12 of 2017. Additionally, the charges include infringement of a Child’s Right to Education, contravening sections of the Basic Education Act, 2013.
One of the charges reads, “Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, alias Mtumishi alias Nabii alias Papaa, on unknown dates in the year 2019 within Kilifi County, willfully and intentionally withdrew a thirteen (13) year old child from Inavi Primary School and failed to ensure regular school attendance.”
Regarding cruelty to a child, it was asserted that the accused individuals willfully and intentionally ill-treated a 17-year-old male child between 2020 and 2023 at Shakahola Forest, by denying him food and causing unnecessary suffering and injury to his health.
The case against Mackenzie and his co-accused is set to be mentioned on February 15 for the bond application hearing. This follows their recent manslaughter charges in a Mombasa court, to which they pleaded not guilty, along with 93 co-accused individuals.
In a separate incident, Mackenzie and his associates were also charged with terror-related offenses before a Shanzu Court, all of which they denied. The legal proceedings shed light on the alleged acts of child cruelty and torture within the Shakahola cult, drawing significant attention to the case.
