Key Shakahola suspect admits role in starvation deaths, confesses to burying two of his own children

A key suspect in the Shakahola massacre trial has told a court in Mombasa that guilt, fear and mounting evidence pushed him to confess to his role in one of Kenya’s most disturbing cult-linked tragedies.

Enos Amanya Ngala, alias Haleluya, made the admission on Wednesday while appearing before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa, according to a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Haleluya told the court that his decision to come forward was driven by his conscience, fear for his safety, and what he described as overwhelming evidence gathered by prosecutors.

He recounted living under constant intimidation inside the Shakahola forest, claiming followers were too afraid to speak out against controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his inner circle.

“He described Mackenzie as a dangerously manipulative leader who denounced prayer, praise, and worship, and even instructed followers to burn the Holy Bible and other scriptures, actions he said sharply contradicted mainstream Christian teachings,” stated the ODPP.

He further told the court that members were promised “special seats in heaven” if they starved themselves to death, adding that Mackenzie allegedly claimed he would be the last to die, thereby symbolically “closing heaven’s door.”

The suspect said coded language was used to conceal the deaths, with terms such as “Jeti” referring to fasting to death and “Shujaa” used to describe those who had already perished.

Haleluya admitted participating in digging graves and burying victims in shallow mass graves. In an emotional account, he revealed he lost all six of his children to the extremist doctrine.

“He revealed that he lost all six of his children to the extreme doctrine, burying two himself before later learning of the deaths of the others,” the ODPP noted.

“He acknowledged that he and fellow accused persons orchestrated deaths through enforced starvation and other cruel acts under Mackenzie’s direction.”

The court also heard that after his arrest, Haleluya disclosed his involvement to a senior officer from the General Service Unit, who advised him to formally record his confession before a judicial officer.

He later wrote letters expressing his intention to admit responsibility, prompting the court to notify both the prosecution and his defence lawyers.

In the case, Mackenzie and 94 others are facing 283 counts of manslaughter.