The son of self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie has revealed details of the abuse he says he experienced as a child in his father's religious movement, including being forced to fast for an entire week at the age of 12.
Dan Mackenzie, 24, spoke after a High Court ruling on Monday, October 19, in which his father and 28 co-accused were convicted of 191 counts of murder linked to the Shakahola tragedy.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache at the Mombasa Law Courts, concerned the deaths of 190 children and one adult. The court found the accused guilty of murder in connection with the deaths.
Dan said he experienced abuse while growing up in his father's church, recounting how he was forced to fast and beaten by church members for resisting its rules.
Main accused, Paul MacKenzie (center)
Photo
ODPP
“I was forced when I was young, when I was 12, to fast for a whole week,” he told the media, describing an incident in which he said he was beaten for nearly three hours to attend a church service.
He also said he was stripped naked during the incident. His account did not establish that his father personally carried out the beating.
Dan said his relationship with his father eventually deteriorated, with Mackenzie telling him he was on his own.
He said he subsequently started working as a motorbike taxi rider in Malindi after leaving school in Class Seven.
Reflecting on the court ruling, Dan said he felt relieved and believed justice had been served for the victims and their families.
He also said he had spoken to his father, who accused him of betrayal. Dan said he did not know why his father had made the accusation and had nothing further to say to him.
Dan said he considered himself a victim of the religious movement, describing his experiences as deeply troubling.
He also revealed that five of his younger siblings, comprising three sisters and two brothers, had been rescued and were staying at a rescue centre. He expressed hope that they would be able to rebuild their lives.
Mackenzie and the 28 other convicted persons are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2026.
Bodies being retrieved from mass graves in Shakahola, Kilifi County
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Amnesty International