Suspect Pleads Guilty to Shakahola Massacre.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the Shakahola massacre trial following a guilty plea from one of the key suspects, who confessed to his involvement in the deaths and burials of more than 191 victims—most of them children.
Enos Amanya, also known as Hallelujah and one of the 29 accused in the case linked to the Shakahola killings, entered a guilty plea to 191 counts of murder before the High Court in Mombasa. This development ends more than 22 months of denials since the proceedings began.
The offenses occurred between January 2021 and September 2023. Appearing before Justice Diana Kavedza, Amanya admitted to collaborating with self-styled preacher Paul Mackenzie and other co-accused in a carefully orchestrated and intentional plan that caused the deaths of hundreds of followers through starvation, abuse, and coercion.
In court, the names of 11 murdered children were read out, while other victims were identified using initials, gender, and the specific grave sites where their remains were exhumed.
Pre-sentencing hearings for victims’ witnesses will run from February 2 to February 6, 2026.
With Amanya's conviction, the prosecution formally closed its case after presenting evidence from 120 witnesses, introducing over 500 exhibits, and conducting six months of rigorous hearings. This underscores the DPP's dedication to achieving justice and accountability for the victims of the Shakahola tragedy and their families.
