NAIROBI, Kenya May 25 – Shocking details have emerged on how Shakaola cult pastor Paul Mackenzie feasted like a king as his followers starved to death.
The death toll in an investigation linked the cult that practiced starvation has gone past 200 with fears it will surpass 500.
Mackenzie’s diet was made public Thursday showing how he feasted on heavy breakfast, lunch and dinner–while convincing his followers to starve themselves to death so as to meet Jesus.
The controversial figure behind the Good News International Church even had a menu detailing his daily diet borrowing from top hotels.
Paul Mackenzie’s menu.
A detailed menu found pinned at the door of Mackenzie’s homestead sheds light on his eating routine, which starkly contrasts the deprivation he advocated for his followers.
According to the menu, Mackenzie would have a hearty breakfast and skip supper only twice a week.
On Mondays, he would consume bread and vegetables for breakfast and forgo supper altogether.
Tuesdays saw him having ugali (a cornmeal dish) and vegetables for breakfast, followed by porridge for supper.
Wednesdays consisted of breakfast with spaghetti and supper with porridge.
Mackenzie would have muthokoi (maize meal) for breakfast on Thursdays, again followed by porridge for supper.
Fridays involved having ugali and vegetables for breakfast, with supper omitted.
Saturdays brought tea and chapati for breakfast, and once again, porridge for supper.
Sundays included breakfast with rice and vegetables, and he would conclude his day with porridge for supper.
Evidence outside Mackenzie’s house revealed remnants of chicken feathers, indicating that he occasionally consumed chicken, while goat bones were also visible on the premises.
While starvation appears to be the main cause of death, some of the victims — including children — were strangled, beaten or suffocated, according to chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor.
These findings raise further questions about the preacher’s contradictory teachings concerning food deprivation, given his engagement in beekeeping, food crop production, and construction of dams for irrigation on his expansive 800-acre estate.
These revelations surfaced on Thursday during a visit to Mackenzie’s homestead in the Shakahola forest by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, accompanied by senior security officers.
The visit coincided with the ongoing search, rescue, and exhumation operations related to the victims of the tragic events that unfolded in the area.
Mackenzie stands accused of inciting and possibly coercing his followers into starving themselves to death, presenting it as the only means to reach Jesus.
Although he has not yet entered a plea, a court order issued on May 10 extended his detention for three more weeks to facilitate further investigations into the killings that has been dubbed “Shakahola Forest Massacre.”
The 50-year-old founder of the Good News International Church turned himself in on April 14 after police acting on a tip-off first entered Shakahola forest.
While starvation appears to be the main cause of death, some of the victims — including children — were strangled, beaten or suffocated, according to chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor.
Questions have been raised about how Mackenzie, a father of seven, managed to evade law enforcement despite a history of extremism and previous legal cases.
The horrific saga has stunned Kenyans and led President William Ruto to set up a commission of inquiry into the deaths and a task force to review regulations governing religious bodies.
