I Didn't Tell Followers To Fast To Death- Paul Mackenzie

Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie on Monday, May 15 denied claims that he convinced his followers to fast to death.

While recording a statement with the police regarding the Shakahola massacre, Mackenzie sought to defend himself over claims that he led a cult-like church while claiming that he did not preach regarding the end of the world.

Mackenzie further denied the presence of a physical church anywhere including deep inside Shakahola forest but stated that he did purchase the 800-acre piece of land in Shakahola which is now a crime scene.

After buying the land, the self-proclaimed preacher subdivided the piece to his followers who bought it at their own volition and that some of his followers are yet to clear payments for the purchase of the said pieces of land.

Mackenzie also claimed that he cannot account for the number of people who were in the forest because he didn’t call them and that there was no sales agreement or title for those who bought the pieces of land.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome toured the Shakahola forest on April 24 and revealed that the ownership of the 800-acre piece of land was in dispute.

“The criminal with us owns 800 acres here well it’s a matter under investigation because other parties have come forward saying he doesn’t own this parcel of land so it’s a matter again under investigation,” said Koome.

As of Sunday, May 14, nine more survivors were rescued from Shakahola, bringing the total to 81. Among them are five children whose health condition is good but were kept under monitoring by doctors at the Malindi Hospital.

Officials said four were adults; one man and three women. The health condition of three of the adults was not good and were taken for treatment at the same facility.

Similarly, one person was arrested, bringing the number of people detained to 27. The death toll currently stands at 201 and the persons missing are 610 as the exhumation exercise is set to resume on Tuesday, May 16, having been suspended on Saturday, May 13.

President William Ruto on Sunday, May 14 accepted responsibility as the Head of State for letting the incident happen in the first place and asked Kenyans for forgiveness in advance.

"I am asking for forgiveness from the people of Kenya following the Shakahola incident. There was laxity in our Government that unfortunately resulted in the death of many Kenyans. 

"I am taking responsibility that as President this (Shakahola massacre) should not have happened. This kind of thing should have never happened. The promise that I am giving to Kenyans is that we will get to the bottom of this matter," he stated during a joint interview with journalists at State House, Nairobi.