The Tononoka Children’s Court in Mombasa has resumed hearings in the Shakahola massacre case, with a renewed focus on the suffering of child victims.
Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir presided over the Wednesday session, where five witnesses—including psychologists and counselors—testified about the trauma the rescued children faced. The mental health professionals told the court they had been called in to offer psychosocial support after the children were rescued from the forest in Kilifi County.
“We conducted multiple group therapy sessions with the minors who had presented trauma and traumatic grief-related symptoms in order to gain their trust,” one counselor told the court.
The therapists revealed that many of the children struggled with nightmares, intense fear, and emotional numbness. Some expressed feelings of anger and shame, while others spoke of cruelty they had endured during their time in the Shakahola forest.
The court also heard that most of the children had never set foot in a classroom—largely because of Pastor Mackenzie’s extremist preaching. Counselors testified that Mackenzie used his television platform, Time TV, to preach against formal education and medical treatment. He labeled schools as “ungodly” and reportedly told followers that even Jesus never went to school.
Charles Anjanja, a boda boda rider from Kiambu County, offered an emotional testimony about how Mackenzie’s influence tore his family apart.
“My wife and I disagreed after she started following the preaching on Time TV, which is alleged to have been teaching against education and going to the hospital,” he said.
“She left our Eldoret home with all four of our children for Mombasa and came back with only three.”
Three days later, she left again—this time with two children—and vanished. “That was the last time I saw her. I later received news of her death,” Anjanja said.
The ODPP has charged Mackenzie and his 38 co-accused with 17 counts, including violations under the Children’s Act (2012), the Prevention of Torture Act (2017), and the Basic Education Act (2013). The charges include:
- Two counts of child torture, with an alternative charge of assault causing actual bodily harm
- Nine counts of cruelty to a child
- Six counts of infringing a child’s right to education
As court proceedings continue, prosecutors emphasize the lasting psychological harm inflicted on the children. Authorities believe Mackenzie’s teachings not only robbed children of their basic rights but also inflicted lasting trauma that will take years to heal.
