The prosecution on Tuesday recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing Shakahola massacre trial, after a self-confessed suspect testified that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie personally supervised grave digging and burials inside the forest settlement.

Appearing before Alex Ithuku, Mombasa Chief Magistrate, Enos Amanya Ngala alias “Haleluya” gave a harrow account of how he participated in burial operations carried out under direct instructions from Mackenzie.

Amanya, 51, who recently changed his plea and admitted involvement in the crimes, broke down in court as he narrated how six of his children died after allegedly being subjected to strict fasting directives issued by Mackenzie.

He told the court that he personally dug graves, provided security, and conducted burials during both day and night shifts.

The witness testified that Mackenzie personally supervised some of the burials and to avoid detection of the graves by authorities, he instructed followers to conceal the graves using black soil and by planting maize and beans on top.

He named his deceased children as Snider Dorcus (23), Rayson Amanya (19), Eda Mtishibi (13), Apron Joshua (9) and Starco Joshua (7). His only surviving daughter, Israel Veronica, has already testified for the prosecution against both her parents.

Amanya also detailed financial exploitation within the group, under questioning by State prosecutors led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina, alongside Principal Prosecution Counsels Alex Ndiema, Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, and Prosecution Counsel Yassir Mohamed.

He said he sent KSh95,000 to Mackenzie and KSh100,000 to George Mwaura, Good News International deputy pastor for the purchase of land, construction materials and church-related items. However, he told the court he never received any land ownership.

Amanya traced his radicalization to 2019 after joining Good News International Church, following sermons aired on Times TV.

He later relocated from Nairobi to Malindi with his family and eventually to Shakahola, after the church’s teachings discouraged education, medicine and mainstream religion.

Mackenzie and 94 co-accused persons are currently facing 283 counts of manslaughter following the deaths of 429 people linked to the Shakahola tragedy.