Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie at the Shanzu Law Courts April 3, 2024.
Did controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie orchestrate the Kwa Bi Nzaro deaths from inside Shimo La Tewa Prison? How did SIM cards and mobile phones find their way into prison cells?
These are the troubling questions emerging as Mackenzie and Shimo La Tewa Prison authorities clash before the High Court in Mombasa over an alleged attempt on the preacher’s life through poisoning.
Mackenzie, the self-styled doomsday preacher, has filed a petition claiming there was a plot to eliminate him by poisoning. He alleges that when he returned to his cell after attending a murder trial at the High Court, he found it tampered with and he suspected poisonous substances had been planted inside.
According to his petition, filed through his advocate Lawrence Obonyo, he discovered whitish powder around the neck of his water bottle and fragments of broken glass where he normally eats. Mackenzie claims these substances were meant to harm him and that his segregation in prison amounts to a violation of his rights.
Contraband in cell
In response, Shimo La Tewa Maximum Security Prison has filed an affidavit revealing details that raise serious security concerns and questions about how prohibited items such as mobile phones and SIM cards could be found in inmates’ possession, contrary to prison regulations.
Abdiwilly Hassan, the officer in charge of the facility, stated in his affidavit that a search was conducted on September 20, following a warrant issued by the Malindi Court on September 12. The warrant authorised Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers to enter the prison and search Mackenzie’s cell and other areas linked to the ongoing Kwa Bi Nzaro cult deaths probe, in which more than 30 bodies and over 100 body parts were recovered.
Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie (in pink) is pictured with some of his followers at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa County on May 2, 2023.
A letter from the DCI in Malindi had requested access to the prison, noting that Mackenzie and Peter Omondi were persons of interest in the investigation as their names featured in the ongoing Kwa Bi Nzaro investigation.
The letter further sought certified copies of the prison’s visitors’ book entries for all visitors who met the two remandees between September 1, 2024, and July 20, 2025.
During the search of Mackenzie’s cell and that of his co-accused, Francis Ominde, officers recovered several prohibited items believed to be connected to the Kwa Bi Nzaro deaths investigation. These included two Itel mobile handsets, three SIM cards, and three Bic razors.
Additionally, two razors and three SIM cards were recovered from the cells of Mackenzie’s close associates, identified as Smart Deri Mwakalama, Kelvin Sudi Asena (alias Stephano), and Titus Munyao Musyoka. All the items were forwarded to the DCI forensic laboratory for analysis.
Kwa Bi Nzaro and Shakahola links
The affidavit filed before the Malindi Court sheds new light on the possible links between the Kwa Bi Nzaro and Shakahola deaths and Mackenzie’s alleged continued influence from behind bars.
Inspector Onyango Owade, the investigating officer, said his application for a search warrant was prompted by a confidential tip-off received on the evening of July 18. The report alleged that former followers of Mackenzie’s outlawed Good News International (GNI) Church were being lured and confined in a homestead at Bi Nzaro village and starved to death under the belief that they would ascend to heaven.
Morticians carry the remains of a person exhumed at Kwa Bi Nzaro village within the vast Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County on August 28, 2025.
When police visited the homestead, they exhumed 32 bodies and recovered several human remains. Four emaciated survivors were rescued. Subsequently, police arrested self-proclaimed priestess Sharleen Temba Anido as the prime suspect, alongside Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, and James Kazungu. The suspects are believed to be part of an organized group that lured victims from across the country to fast to death under lock and guard.
“Over 40 former followers of the outlawed GNI from Kilifi, Siaya, Busia, Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisii counties have been reported missing since September 2024. They are believed to have died from enforced fasting within the Bi Nzaro homestead, where 32 bodies and 102 skeletal remains were recovered during the recently suspended exhumations,” said Mr Owade.
Investigators claim that between January and July this year, Mackenzie contacted several of his former followers through a mobile phone, urging them to attend meetings in Busia, Migori, Malindi, and other venues.
“During and after the said meetings, he called and virtually addressed the said followers through the same mobile phone number, directing them to proceed to Malindi and commence fasting in order to die, go to heaven, and meet Jesus,” said the officer in the court document.
The investigation further alleged that Mackenzie made follow-up calls to reluctant followers, persuading them to take part in the deadly fasting ritual. Police say their investigation found that even while in custody, he continued to exert control over his followers, delivering radical, end-time teachings through mobile phone calls from inside prison.
These communications allegedly led to more followers being escorted by his associates to Bi Nzaro village, where they fasted to death.
Some of the 92 persons accused alongside Pastor Paul Mackenzie with 238 Counts of Manslaughter when they appeared before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku on November 10, 2025.
Investigations have further alleged that in an effort to continue exerting, maintaining, and extending control over his former followers, who were not charged in the Shakahola deaths, and to dissuade some prosecution witnesses from testifying in related cases, Mackenzie allegedly delivered radical, extremist, end-time, and cultic teachings to them through phone calls made from inside the prison.
“Our investigation has also revealed that in planning, executing, and facilitating funding for travel, rent, and other logistics linked to the deaths, Mackenzie used the same mobile phone to transfer money to his associates, some of whom have since been arrested,” said the investigator.
Police believe the recovered devices will be crucial in establishing the extent of Mackenzie’s involvement in the Kwa Bi Nzaro deaths and his possible coordination of cult activities from prison.
“The intended search was necessary to secure evidence supporting investigations into Mackenzie’s alleged involvement in organized criminal activities, radicalization, facilitation of terrorism, murder, and other offenses under Kenyan law,” the affidavit concluded.
Mackenzie’s behaviour in cell
Prison authorities have reported persistent difficulties with Mackenzie’s behaviour since his detention.
They describe him as a high-risk offender capable of radicalising others within and outside prison, noting that he continues to exert significant influence and control over his co-accused, who still regard him as their leader.
According to an affidavit, on February 15, 2024, Mackenzie instructed fellow detainees to stage a hunger strike while appearing before the Tononoka Law Courts. On March 7, 2024, he attempted to preach to other inmates during transport to the Malindi Law Courts, but prison officers intervened.
Suspected Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie (right) and some of his followers protest detention without trial at the Shanzu Law Courts on August 1,2023. The defendants chanted the slogan 'Haki Yetu' as soon as they realised that the state was going to make another application to keep them in custody for another 47 days.
Officials also intercepted several handwritten notes from his followers addressed to him, containing extreme religious messages based on dreams, which they sought his interpretation of.
Mackenzie was also said to have repeatedly demanded special treatment, including unauthorised food items such as canned fish, powdered milk, fermented milk, and soda.
They believe his petition before the High Court is a deliberate attempt to intimidate prison officers and deter them from conducting searches or inspections of his cell.
“It is not feasible for the prisoner to carry glass particles from the prison to court; therefore, the source of the glass particles presented in court is unknown to the prison authority,” said Mr Hassan.
Due to his continued defiance, influence over inmates, and risk of radicalisation, Mr Hassan stated that Mackenzie was placed under a supervised and restrictive regime of segregation to maintain order, security, and discipline within the prison.
Mr Hassan added that all food supplied to the prison is inspected upon delivery by merchants and that the cooks handling prisoners’ meals are vetted inmates medically examined and certified fit by a medical officer.
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