Mackenzie's Son Reveals Childhood Abuse After Shakahola Murder Convictions

Dan Mackenzie, 24, says he suffered abuse as a child in his father Paul Mackenzie's religious movement. He spoke to the media after Monday's High Court ruling on October 19.

Dan says church members forced him to fast for a whole week at age 12. He also says they beat him for nearly three hours to make him attend a church service.

Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache delivered the judgment at the Mombasa Law Courts on Monday. She convicted Paul Mackenzie and 28 co-accused of 191 counts of murder over the Shakahola tragedy.

The case concerned the deaths of 190 children and one adult. The court will sentence all 29 convicts on November 6, 2026.

Dan says members stripped him naked during the incident. His account does not establish that his father personally carried out the beating.

He says he resisted the church's rules and suffered for it. He now considers himself a victim of the religious movement.

Dan says his relationship with his father later fell apart. He says Mackenzie told him he was on his own.

He left school in Class Seven and became a motorbike taxi rider in Malindi. Dan says he has spoken to his father, who accused him of betrayal.

Dan says he felt relieved after the ruling and believes justice has been served. He says the victims and their families have received justice.

He says he does not know why his father accused him of betrayal. He has nothing more to say to him.

Dan says five of his younger siblings are safe at a rescue centre. They include three sisters and two brothers.

He hopes they will rebuild their lives after what they have endured. Their rescue offers the family a chance to heal.