The DPP has gained significant ground at the Shakahola massacre trial after a self-confessed suspect told a Mombasa court that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie personally supervised grave digging and burials inside the forest settlement.
Enos Amanya Ngala alias “Haleluya”, who recently changed his plea and admitted involvement in the crimes, gave a detailed and emotional account of events that led to the deaths of 429 people.
Testifying before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku on Tuesday, the 51-year-old broke down as he narrated how six of his own children died following strict fasting directives allegedly issued by Mackenzie.
The testimony forms part of the ongoing prosecution of Mackenzie and 94 others who are facing 283 counts of manslaughter arising from the Shakahola tragedy.
Under questioning by State prosecutors, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina, alongside Principal Prosecution Counsels Alex Ndiema, Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, and Prosecution Counsel Yassir Mohamed, Amanya admitted he dug graves, provided security and conducted burials during both day and night shifts under direct instructions from Mackenzie.
He told the court that some burials were personally supervised by the controversial preacher, who also instructed followers on how to conceal graves using black soil and planting maize and beans over the sites to avoid detection by authorities.
The witness named his deceased children as Snider Dorcus (23), Rayson Amanya (19), Eda Mtishibi (13), Apron Joshua (9), and Starco Joshua (7). His only surviving daughter, Israel Veronica, has already testified for the prosecution against both her parents.
In addition to detailing burial operations, Amanya testified that he was financially exploited. He said he sent Ksh 95,000 to Mackenzie and Ksh 100,000 to Good News International deputy pastor George Mwaura for the purchase of land at Shakahola, building materials and church-related items, including an external hard drive containing sermons.
Despite the payments, he told the court he never received ownership of any land. He traced his radicalisation to 2019 after joining Good News International Church upon watching sermons on Times TV.
He later relocated his family from Nairobi to Malindi and eventually to Shakahola, following teachings that discouraged education, medicine and mainstream religion.
He said followers were directed to withdraw children from school during the COVID-19 period in preparation for what they were told was the end times.
