Shakahola trial: Witness recounts rescuing frail boy

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More chilling testimonies were presented today at the Tononoka Children’s Court before Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir in the ongoing trial against controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his 35 co-accused. 

They face multiple charges, including cruelty to children, torture, and denial of the right to education, all linked to the Shakahola massacre.

The court first heard from 26-year-old Khadija Wilson, who narrated how she and her younger brother rescued a frail boy identified as P.P. near their shop in Shakahola’s Madukani area. 

She said the child had escaped Mackenzie’s area, where he had been subjected to fasting and starvation.

Khadija sheltered him for nearly four months after alerting a village elder, who involved children’s officers. 

The boy was eventually placed under care and protection. 

“If we hadn’t rescued him, he would have died,” she told the court, adding that at the time of rescue, P.P. was too weak to even attend school.

Other witnesses painted equally tragic pictures. Charles Adundo, an elderly grandfather, recalled how his son — listed as the 35th accused — took away two of his grandchildren from school. That was the last time he ever saw them.

Another witness, 70-year-old Felida Vugusa from Kapseret, told the court about her daughter, Sarah Khahisha, who had five children. 

One Sunday, while Felida was at church, her daughter, son-in-law Mulama, and all five children disappeared, including E.I., who also testified.

 She said the family had been attending a mysterious church she knew nothing about, and that Mulama had strongly resisted the idea of schooling for the children.

The court also heard scientific evidence. Government Analyst Henry Kiptoo explained how DNA tests conducted on samples from families of missing persons were matched with remains exhumed in Shakahola. 

Out of 333 samples collected, two reports — dated 6th August 2024 and 13th November 2024 — confirmed the identification of 38 and 31 bodies respectively, including children and relatives of the accused persons.

Separately, Mr Liwa Filbert, Director of the National Registration Bureau, testified on fingerprint verification. 

He said several suspects initially gave police false names, but analysis using Form C4 revealed their true identities. 

This process confirmed the identities of more than 35 suspects.

The matter was adjourned to 19th September 2025 for further hearing.