Shakahola massacre: Prosecution closes child torture case against Mackenzie

The prosecution has closed its case in a matter where controversial pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and several of his co-accused are facing charges of subjecting children to torture at Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.

The accused, among them Mackenzie alias Mtumishi, Nabii, and Papaa, are alleged to have willfully subjected minors to torture, including beatings with sticks and whippings with thorny branches, between 2020 and 2023.

The prosecution, led by lawyer Victor Owiti Alexander Jami and Betty Rudia called a total of 76 witnesses and produced over 100 exhibits before the court.

Among the exhibits were photographs and videos taken from Shakahola, as well as extracts of WhatsApp communication linked to Mackenzie and his followers. Sixteen witnesses testified under protection, 13 of whom were children.

The matter will come up on October 14, 2025 for directions to confirm readiness of the proceedings.