MALINDI, Kenya – Detectives have detained the mother of Shakahola massacre suspect Paul Mackenzie after eight grandchildren were found at her home in Malindi, allegedly having stayed out of school and fasting for about three months.
Anastasia Mwele was picked up by Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers led by Homicide boss Martin Nyuguto at her home in Furunzi.
The eight children, aged between six and 14, were also rescued and taken to Malindi Police Station as detectives investigated the circumstances surrounding their prolonged absence from school and alleged fasting.
The children are reported to have been following religious teachings that allegedly encouraged fasting as a means of attaining heaven.
Mackenzie’s Son Reports Children To Police
Paul Mackenzie’s son, Dan Mackenzie, said he alerted police after learning that the children had remained out of school and were continuing with the religious practices.
“My grandmother has been arrested because it was found that the children were not going to school and were still following that religion, where they believe fasting will take them to heaven. That is why I went to make a report,” Dan said.
He said the children had been out of school and practising the fasting for approximately three months, prompting him to seek police intervention.
The children were subsequently taken into police custody as investigations got underway.
Incident Linked To Shakahola Case
The rescue comes against the backdrop of the criminal cases facing Paul Mackenzie over the deaths linked to his Good News International Church in Kilifi County.
Mackenzie has been accused in multiple cases arising from the Shakahola deaths, where hundreds of bodies have been recovered from graves in the Shakahola forest.
The investigations into the latest incident will focus on why the children were out of school and the circumstances surrounding their alleged prolonged fasting.
Police are also expected to establish the nature of the teachings the children were receiving and whether any offences were committed.
The eight children remain under the care of authorities as investigations continue.
