Man testifies how he lost wife, 2 sons, 8 grandchildren to Shakahola cult

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ngonjo explained that his wife, Esther Birya Masha, lured their two sons Harry and Isaack Ngala into the cult.

Both joined the sect with their wives and children, abandoning education, formal employment, and family responsibilities in the process.

Harry, alongside his wife and their five children lost their lives in the forest.

He further explained that Isaack resigned from his job as a General Service Unit (GSU) officer after Mackenzie’s teachings convinced him that salaried work was evil.

Isaack’s wife, a government-employed teacher, also resigned and relocated with him and their three children to Shakahola.

"Tragically, Isaack, his wife, and two of their children also died in the forest. Only one child survived, whom Gandi now raises," said ODPP.

Ngonjo also recalled warning his wife against joining the church, which openly preached against education and formal employment, straining their marriage.

"He further recounted his last meal with his wife before she disappeared into Shakahola forest, never to return," ODPP added.

DNA analysis later confirmed the identities of some of his family members, whose remains he managed to bury, but those of one grandson remain unaccounted for.

He also told the court that he had buried two of the twelve family members he lost to the cult.

Gandi urged the court to dispense justice swiftly, stating that his family had been wiped out by radical indoctrination.