Pastor Mackenzie Caught Engaging in Another Criminal Behavior in Prison

In a parallel reminiscent of the biblical apostle Paul, individuals under investigation for their involvement in the Shakahola massacre have resorted to the exchange of letters within the confines of prison.

These correspondences serve as a platform for mutual encouragement, focusing on the significance of fasting.

Prison authorities have expressed concerns that one of the central figures, Paul Mackenzie, along with his cohorts, may be exploiting this medium to propagate extreme religious ideologies, particularly emphasizing fasting as the sole means to connect with Jesus.

Official documents submitted to the Shanzu court reveal that prison staff intercepted a series of letters bearing the date July 22, 2023, which appeared to advocate fasting until death as the exclusive gateway to an alleged heavenly realm.

Chief Inspector Raphael Wanjohi, in an affidavit submitted to the court, stated, “Upon analyzing the contents of these correspondences, law enforcement authorities possess substantial reasons to suspect that they contain religious directives stemming from an extremist belief system currently under investigation in connection to the Shakahola massacre.”

The intercepted letter has been forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for forensic analysis, with the intent of identifying its author.

“The information provides a basis for fasting to death, describing it (fasting to death) as the only way to transition to be with ‘Yesu’,” the investigator said.

According to Mr Wanjohi, an analysis of the contents of the letter shows that it is consistent with the accounts of eyewitnesses who were in Shakahola before the massacre.It has also been alleged that the contents of the letter matches videos of the sermons that Mackenzie has uploaded on YouTube, allegedly as part of his recruitment crusades.

Mr Wanjohi said the letter could be published on media platforms that share secondary court proceedings and records.

He described the interviewees as dangerous because of their apparent eagerness to defend and justify their beliefs.

The State has said the development may significantly affect its ability to physically reach, manage, supervise or control the defendants for the purpose of carrying out de-radicalisation programmes, unless they are detained in a prison pending trial.

The State has also accused Mr Mackenzie of using the constitutional right of access to information to disseminate his messages through open court proceedings and in full glare of the cameras.

Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yussuf Shikanda ordered that the letter be presented to him in a sealed envelope.

This comes even as it emerged that senators have summoned Mr Makenzie and televangelist Ezekiel Odera over cult deaths in Shakahola, Kilifi County.

The two are part of witnesses set to appear before the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the incident today.

The committee that is chaired by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has also summoned Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin and Chief Government Pathologist Johannsen Oduor.

Individual security and administration officers who were in charge at the time the deaths as well as Kaya elders will also appear before the committee.

The Prisons Department has been notified by the committee to produce Mr Makenzie, who is currently in custody.

Mr Makenzie is expected to shed the light on his involvement in the happenings at Shakahola forest where hundreds of bodies have been exhumed.

The State is treating Mr Makenzie as the prime suspect in the mass suicide of his followers, which post-mortem examinations carried out by Dr Oduor revealed to have mainly been caused by self-starvation.