For the first time since his arrest in 2023 over the Shakahola tragedy, suspected cult leader Paul Mackenzie returned to his home village of Furunzi in Malindi on Tuesday under heavy security.
The visit, supervised by the High Court, formed part of an ongoing judicial inspection of locations linked to the crimes against humanity case at Shakahola and Kwa Bi Nzaro, facing Mackenzie, self-styled priestess Sharleen Temba Anindo, and six other co-accused.
Residents lined up to catch a glimpse of the man whose actions placed Kenya on the international spotlight over one of the worst cases of mass deaths linked to religious extremism.
Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni (centre) conducts her court proceedings at Pastor Paul Mackenzie's Good News International (GNI) Church in Furunzi, Malindi, Kilifi County in this photo taken on June 23, 2026. ,
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
The court convoy's first stop was the Good News International Church, where Mackenzie preached for years before relocating his congregation to Shakahola forest, where more than 400 followers perished after being persuaded that starvation would enable them to meet Jesus in heaven.
Accompanied by judicial officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers and investigators, Mackenzie was escorted into the church as the court received explanations regarding activities that allegedly took place there before the deaths in Shakahola.
The court heard that the church building could accommodate approximately 1,500 worshippers and served as the centre of teachings that attracted followers from different parts of the country.
After inspecting the church premises, the convoy proceeded to Mackenzie's homestead in Furunzi, located within the church compound, where his mother and some of his children currently live.
In a brief address to the court, Mackenzie's mother said she had no objection to the proceedings and that she understood the purpose of the visit.
Despite seeing her son for the first time in nearly three years, she was not permitted to greet or speak to him. Similarly, Mackenzie's children, including his son Dan, were not allowed to interact with their father during the visit.
The court then held a brief session within the compound before continuing with inspections of other locations connected to the Shakahola investigation. It was during this session that Dan appealed for the case to be concluded expeditiously, saying the family had endured significant hardship since his father's arrest.
"This is where my siblings live. They are fine, but things are not good. Life has not been smooth for them," he told the court.
Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni (centre) conducts court proceedings at Pastor Paul Mackenzie's Good News International (GNI) Church in Furunzi, Malindi, Kilifi County on June 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
Dan, who is in his mid 20s, further disclosed that his father's homestead remained under the influence of his teachings, claiming that some of his siblings continued to adhere strictly to Mackenzie's doctrines.
"They are neither going to school nor taking medication when they fall sick. It is like mental slavery. These children are still in this cult. I ask for the court's intervention and for the Children's Department to come and rescue them," he said.
He told the court that previous attempts to have the children rescued had not borne fruit. Dan also confirmed that the compound served as his father's residence and a reception point for visitors before Mackenzie and some of his followers relocated to the forest.
"We were living here before my father and siblings left. I did not go with them," he said.
In response, High Court Judge Wendy Kagendo directed that child protection proceedings be opened in respect of the children, with the matter to be addressed during the course of the week.
Dan further told the court that he was prepared to testify and provide more information regarding the radicalisation and cult-like practices he had allegedly witnessed within the homestead.
From Mackenzie's home, the convoy proceeded to several houses and structures which, according to evidence presented in court, were allegedly used to accommodate followers temporarily before they were transferred to the Shakahola forest. The first stop after Mackenzie's homestead was a bungalow owned by Betty Mwaka, located about 1.5 kilometres from Malindi town.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) carry some of the chairs recovered in one of the R radicalisation cells in the Kwa Chocha area of Malindi sub-county, where followers of Pastor Mackenzie's Good News International (GNI) church lived before proceeding to Kwa Binzaro forest in Kilifi County on June 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
Ms Mwaka said the house had been rented by Ms Anindo, who introduced herself as a married woman involved in a savings group and requested permission to accommodate a large number of visitors.
According to Ms Mwaka, Anindo rented the house for Sh6,000 per month and occupied it for about six months. She was accompanied during the rental arrangements by a boda boda rider later identified as co accused Kahindi Kazungu Garama.
Although Ms Mwaka said she never witnessed any suspicious activities, she frequently observed different people arriving at the house, many of whom remained indoors.
"I used to see elderly women arriving on motorcycles and often noticed numerous pairs of shoes outside the house," she said.
A protected prosecution witness identified only as J.O. told the court that the house served as the entry point for new followers arriving from different parts of the country before they were transferred to the forest.
J.O. said he arrived there from Siaya County with his wife and six children and found several other followers already staying at the premises.
Kwa Bi Nzaro cult prime suspect Sharlyne Anindo Temba at the Malindi Law Courts in Kilifi County on September 12, 2025.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He described the house as a key coordination centre for the group's activities, telling the court that individuals intending to undertake fasting in the forest were first accommodated there before being escorted to Shakahola later in the day.
"This house was not for fasting. It was where the planning happened. From here, victims would be transported to the forest. When I arrived, I was told a group had just left for the forest for prayer and fasting. I was brought to this house by Ms Anindo," he said.
The convoy then proceeded to the homestead of John Mwamure, situated about 3.2 kilometres from Malindi town, where two bedsitters had allegedly been rented by Anindo and Garama.
Mr Mwamure told the court that the pair approached him seeking accommodation and paid rent on behalf of several occupants who stayed there for approximately two months before disappearing.
As their stay drew to an end, he said, they stopped paying monthly rent and instead paid on a nightly basis. Eventually, they vacated the premises without notice and left behind an unpaid night's rent.
"I could not reach them because they had switched off their phones," he said.
During the inspection, investigators pointed out several items recovered from the premises, including plastic chairs bearing inscriptions of Good News International Church.
The convoy then travelled to the home of Stephen Ngala, where another house allegedly linked to the movement was inspected.
Mr Ngala told the court that Anindo and Garama approached him seeking accommodation and paid Sh1,500 in advance, informing him that a relative would later occupy the premises.
Shortly afterwards, a man and woman, later identified as J.O. and his wife, moved into the house. Their rent was paid in cash and they remained there for about a month.
J.O. confirmed that he had been taken to the house after returning from Kwa Bi Nzaro forest. He said he had been removed from the fasting programme after refusing to continue and after losing all six of his children in the forest.
According to his testimony, he remained at the house briefly before being moved to another residence belonging to Dominic Karanja.
The court then inspected Mr Karanja's house, located approximately 160 metres from Mr Ngala's property.
Mr Karanja testified that he received Sh2,000 rent through a mobile money transaction sent under the name Grace. Investigators later established that the payment had allegedly been made by Anindo.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie when he appeared before a Mombasa court on November 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
J.O. told the court that he and his wife lived in the house for about three weeks after being brought there by Garama and Anindo.
While staying there, he said, they were instructed not to interact with local residents and to remain indoors at all times, instructions they strictly followed.
Mr Karanja told the court that when he later returned to collect rent for the following month, he discovered that the occupants had vacated the house without informing him.
The final stop of the day was at the home of Josephat Chengo in Kwa Chocha village. Mr Chengo told the court that Anindo and Garama rented his house on July 19, 2025, paying rent in cash and declining to be issued with a receipt.
The house was later occupied by co-accused Julius Thuva Luwali, who stayed there for approximately three months. During the inspection, investigators recovered six plastic chairs bearing the inscription GNI, adding to the exhibits already linked to the case.
The court was told that some followers were gathered at these locations before being transported in groups to the forest, where many eventually died after prolonged fasting.
The site visits formed part of the court's effort to understand the network of houses allegedly used to receive, accommodate and move followers before they were eventually transferred to the Shakahola and Kwa Bi Nzaro forests, where many of the deaths under investigation occurred.
The judicial inspection of the sites is expected to assist the court in understanding the geographical layout of key locations and the circumstances surrounding the events that culminated in the deaths of hundreds of followers.
In the case, the State has charged the suspects with 23 counts of murder as crimes against humanity over the Kwa Bi Nzaro deaths. They are accused of committing the offences between January and October 2025 in relation to the deaths of 23 children.
In alternative counts, the accused are also charged with the murder of the same victims named in the main charges. All the accused have denied the charges.
