Paul Mackenzie’s Son Reveals He Was Forced to Fast for a Week at Age 12

Paul Mackenzie’s Son Reveals He Was Forced to Fast for a Week at Age 12

Dan Mackenzie, the son of self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie, has recounted the abuse he says he suffered while growing up in his father’s religious movement, including being forced to fast for an entire week when he was just 12 years old.

Dan, 24, spoke to the media after the High Court convicted his father and 28 co-accused of 191 counts of murder linked to the Shakahola tragedy.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache at the Mombasa Law Courts on Monday, October 19. The case concerned the deaths of 190 children and one adult, with the court finding the accused guilty of murder in connection with the deaths.

Speaking after the ruling, Dan described what he said were painful experiences inside the religious movement, claiming that he was subjected to harsh treatment for resisting its rules.

“I was forced when I was young, when I was 12, to fast for a whole week,” he told the media.

Dan also recounted an incident in which he said church members beat him for nearly three hours because he resisted attending a church service. He alleged that he was stripped naked during the incident.

His account did not establish that his father personally carried out the alleged beating.

Mackenzie’s son says he left school in Class Seven

Dan said his experiences in the religious movement affected his childhood and described himself as one of its victims.

After leaving school in Class Seven, he said he began working as a motorcycle taxi rider in Malindi to earn a living.

His account has added a personal dimension to the Shakahola case, which has drawn national attention to the deaths, the treatment of children and concerns about religious practices that may expose followers to harm.

The convictions mark a major development in the criminal proceedings against Mackenzie and the other accused. The case has remained a focus of public concern because of the scale of the deaths and the circumstances surrounding the religious group’s activities.

Dan said he felt relieved following the court’s decision, expressing the view that justice had been served for the victims and their families.

Dan says father accused him of betrayal

The 24-year-old also revealed that he had spoken to his father following the court ruling.

According to Dan, Mackenzie accused him of betrayal. He said he did not understand why his father had made the accusation and had nothing further to say to him.

The exchange points to the strained relationship between the two following the legal proceedings and Dan’s decision to speak publicly about his experiences.

Dan maintained that he considered himself a victim of the religious movement and described his childhood experiences as deeply troubling.

His account, however, remains a personal testimony about what he says happened to him and should be distinguished from the specific findings made by the court in the murder case.

Five of Dan’s siblings rescued

Dan also disclosed that five of his younger siblings, comprising three girls and two boys, had been rescued and were staying at a rescue centre.

He expressed hope that they would receive the support they need to rebuild their lives after their experiences.

The disclosure highlights the continuing welfare concerns surrounding children affected by the Shakahola tragedy, including the need for protection, care and support for survivors and families.

The case has also renewed attention on the responsibility of authorities to protect vulnerable people from harmful practices carried out under the guise of religious instruction.

Mackenzie and co-accused await sentencing

Mackenzie and the 28 other convicted persons are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2026.

The sentencing will follow the High Court’s decision finding them guilty of 191 counts of murder connected to the Shakahola deaths.

For Dan, the ruling represents a significant moment after years of experiences he says left lasting scars. His account has also brought renewed focus to the experiences of children who grew up within the religious movement and the challenges facing survivors as they seek to rebuild their lives.

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Paul Mackenzie’s Son Reveals He Was Forced to Fast for a Week at Age 12