Shakahola: Dan Mackenzie’s Journey to Independence from His Father’s Church
The village of Furunzi is located in the middle of Malindi town, which is more than 100 kilometers away from the mass graves of Shakahola.
Dan Mackenzie, age 21, is the firstborn son of Paul Mackenzie and works as a boda boda rider in the town of Malindi. Dan is also the youngest of the Mackenzie brothers.
As he opens the door to his house, he tells us that his father gave up preaching at Shakahola after the Good News International Church closed its doors in 2019, so he could focus on farming instead. Paul Mackenzie entrusted his son with the care of their Malindi townhome before departing for his trip.
And since the latter half of 2019, he has been residing in this location along with his grandmother and his stepmother, Rhoda Maweu, who is currently being held by the authorities. Rhoda Maweu is his father’s third wife.
“Alikuwa anatuletea vyakula vyakula vya shambani manake huko alikuwa na kisima,” Dan says of his father.
He claims that he has always known his father to be an exemplary figure who is generous to a fault and incapable of committing murder.
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“Babangu hana makosa,” he says.
According to Dan, his father did not receive any theological education and only completed four years of schooling at the Lukore secondary school in Kwale before moving to Malindi town and working as a taxi driver there.
According to his son, it was never required for Mackenzie’s followers to adhere to his radical preachings. Against education as well as his teachings on fasting, which led to tragic outcomes for some of Mackenzie’s followers. His son also believes that Mackenzie’s followers were never required to fast.
“Nimefika Form One na niliacha shule mimi mwenyewe sikulazimishwa na mtu…na baba alipofunga kanisa mimi pia sikuwahi jihusisha na kanisa na alienda huko peke yake,” he says.
The firstborn child of MacKenzie and his first wife, who passed away in 2010. Is now 21 years old and has condemned vandalism committed on the perimeter wall. Of the family home by irate locals, whom he accused of looting. The deceased first wife was in 2010.
“Walivunja vunja wakachukuwa pikipiki mohogo,” says Dan.
Shakahola: Dan Mackenzie’s Journey to Independence from His Father’s Church
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