A father who lost almost his entire family in the Shakahola tragedy gave a heart-wrenching account in the Mombasa High Court, revealing the human toll behind Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Ministries.
His testimony offered a glimpse into the pain and confusion experienced by families drawn into deadly religious teachings.
George Okaka, the fifth witness in the ongoing murder trial, told the court on Monday, December 1, how he buried his wife and four children in October 2025. He described a journey that began with faith but ended in heartbreak and loss.
Two of his children remain missing, leaving him with unanswered questions and a family shattered beyond repair.
Okaka recounted that in the months leading up to her departure in September 2022, his wife’s behaviour had changed dramatically. She burned their children’s books and identification documents before taking them to Shakahola forest, a place where followers believed starving themselves would guarantee a place in heaven.
He said the last time he heard her voice was in early 2023, when she called asking for KSh 6,000. Desperate to help, he raised the money with the assistance of his father-in-law, who sold a cow to cover the cost.
The court also heard from Benson Ingosi, a senior scene of crime investigating officer. He said that four of the fifteen victims rescued from the forest died while being taken to hospital. He described the difficult search and recovery efforts, including the discovery of victims in enclosed fasting bays.
“In the course of our search, we found several victims inside fasting bays, which were enclosed with thorny branches,” Ingosi said.
He also recounted finding decomposing bodies in different parts of Shakahola in April 2025, after being called to a section near Langobaya. His testimony gave the court insight into the grim realities investigators faced during the operation.
Child psychologist Dr. Florence Mueni appeared as another witness, presenting assessments conducted by a team of six specialists who interviewed 26 rescued children. Her testimony painted a picture of the trauma the children endured and the long-lasting effects of their ordeal.
The prosecution has so far presented 70 witnesses in the case, which involves the deaths of 191 people, all allegedly linked to Mackenzie’s religious teachings.
