Dan Mackenzie, the 24-year-old son of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, has recounted disturbing experiences he says he endured while growing up in his father’s religious movement, including being forced to fast for seven days at the age of 12.
Dan spoke following a High Court ruling delivered on October 19, 2026, in which his father and 28 other individuals were convicted on 191 counts of murder linked to the Shakahola deaths.
Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache delivered the verdict at the Mombasa Law Courts in a case involving the deaths of 190 children and one adult.
According to Dan, his childhood within the movement was marked by harsh treatment and religious practices that he found deeply troubling. He recalled being beaten for nearly three hours because he was expected to attend a church service. He said he was also stripped naked during the incident.
However, Dan did not claim that his father personally carried out the assault.
His relationship with Mackenzie eventually deteriorated, with the preacher reportedly telling him that he was on his own. Dan later left school in Class Seven and began earning a living as a motorcycle taxi operator in Malindi.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Dan said he felt relieved and believed the convictions represented an important step towards justice for the victims and their families.
He also recalled an interaction in which his father accused him of betrayal, although he said he did not understand the accusation and did not wish to pursue the matter further.
Dan described himself as a victim of the movement and expressed concern for his younger siblings.
He disclosed that five of them, comprising three girls and two boys, had been rescued and were staying at a rescue centre. He expressed hope that they would recover from their experiences and eventually rebuild their lives.
Mackenzie and the other convicted individuals are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2026, as families continue seeking justice over the Shakahola tragedy.