The Shakahola massacre case, involving controversial preacher Paul Makenzi and 34 co-accused, continues to unfold at the Mombasa Law Courts. The prosecution is actively working to establish its case, hoping to shift the burden of proof onto Makenzi and his associates, who are charged with grave offenses including subjecting children to torture, cruelty, and the denial of basic education.

To support these charges, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has presented a substantial number of witnesses, with a total of 76 individuals testifying. A critical component of this testimony includes 16 protected witnesses, among whom are 13 children. These children were reportedly subjected to torture and harsh conditions by the cult within the Shakahola forest, providing direct accounts of the alleged abuses.

Further illuminating the secretive life within Makenzi’s cult, a series of text messages has been exclusively obtained by the Sunday Standard. These communications offer a rare glimpse into the daily existence and interactions among Makenzi and his followers in the wild. Predominantly messages from his adherents with some replies from Makenzi, these texts were recently tabled in court during one of the cases the controversial preacher is currently facing. This evidence is expected to provide valuable context regarding the operational aspects and internal dynamics of the cult as the legal proceedings advance.