WhatsApp trail exposes Makenzi's deadly 'move to Shakahola'

Controversial preacher Paul Makenzi (centre) and his lawyer Lawrence Obonyo arrive at the High Court in Mombasa on August 13, 2025. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Controversial preacher Paul Makenzi’s extracted WhatsApp messages have revealed how he urged his followers to abandon their homes and retreat to the wilderness to fast as they awaited the return of Jesus.

Repeated messages identified Shakahola as the chosen site for the second coming of Christ and the end of the world.

Digital forensic evidence from Makenzi’s mobile phones revealed recurring discussions with his followers centred on fasting, prophecy, the Antichrist, the “beast”, the New World Order, and the number 666.

Other messages uncovered, included instructions warning mothers against taking their children to school or hospital, labelling such acts as aligned with the Antichrist.

Appearing before Tononoka Children’s Court Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir, Chief Inspector Joseph Kolum, a senior digital forensics investigator, testified that the WhatsApp messages showed Makenzi repeatedly told his followers that the church was no longer in their homes, but in the wilderness, urging an urgent relocation to Shakahola.

Kolum testified that a forensic examination conducted on April 13, 2023 using the Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) generated a 74,658-page report. It revealed thousands of WhatsApp conversations between Makenzi and his followers.

Makenzi and 37 co-accused face charges of kidnapping, cruelty, torture, and violations of children’s rights, including the denial of education.

In earlier testimony, clinical psychologist Dr Florence Mueni told the court that children rescued from the cult were severely traumatised by starvation, isolation, indoctrination, and witnessing deaths. She said that 13 children reported being instructed not to cry when siblings or parents died due to forced fasting. Many underwent therapy for trauma and grief-related symptoms.

Kolum further testified that Makenzi had closed his Furunzi-based Good News International Church in Malindi and directed followers to relocate to the wilderness in preparation for Christ’s return.

“Makenzi consistently told followers the church was no longer in their homes, but in the wilderness, urging them to relocate urgently to Shakahola,” Kolum told the court.

The officer presented PDF documents, audio sermons, and YouTube links containing apocalyptic teachings shared after the church’s closure.

Messages dating back to September 2020 revealed Makenzi proclaiming he had completed his divine mission and was waiting in the wilderness for the Lord’s return.

Chats from 2022 to 2023 showed followers seeking his guidance on when to move to Shakahola. Makenzi repeatedly emphasised the urgency of the relocation.

The forensic analysis also exposed Makenzi’s instructions discouraging education. In one case, a mother told him her child experienced “spiritual attacks” when wearing a school uniform. Makenzi advised her to stop sending the child to school.

Other messages showed Makenzi discouraging mothers from taking their sick children to hospitals for treatment, claiming such actions were unholy.

Kolum also testified that followers pledged financial support to Makenzi for the purchase of land at Shakahola, where they would settle and fast in isolation.

Makenzi and 35 of his co-accused are now facing multiple charges, including cruelty, torture, and the denial of education to children in connection with the Shakahola tragedy.

Principal Magistrate Chepchirchir has scheduled the continuation of hearings for September 16 to 19, 2025.