MALINDI, Kenya — Detectives have detained Anastasia Mwele, the mother of Shakahola suspect Paul Mackenzie, after eight children were found at her home in Malindi, where they had allegedly been out of school and fasting for about three months.

The children, aged between six and 14, were rescued during an operation by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers led by Homicide boss Martin Nyuguto.

Mwele was arrested at her home in Furunzi as detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding the children’s prolonged absence from school and their alleged participation in religious fasting.

The children were taken to Malindi Police Station following the operation.

According to information provided to police, the children had allegedly been following religious teachings under which fasting was presented as a way of attaining heaven.

Mackenzie’s son raises alarm

The matter came to the attention of police after Paul Mackenzie’s son, Dan Mackenzie, reportedly raised concerns over the children’s welfare.

Dan said he contacted authorities after learning that the children had been out of school while continuing to observe the alleged 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 reportedly been out of school and fasting for approximately three months.

The report prompted police intervention, leading to the rescue of the children and the detention of their grandmother as detectives sought to establish what had happened.

Questions over children’s welfare

Investigators are expected to establish why the children had remained away from school for such an extended period and whether they were being subjected to practices that could have placed their health or welfare at risk.

Police will also examine the nature of the religious teachings the children were allegedly receiving and determine whether any criminal offences were committed.

The children remain under the care of authorities while investigations continue.

Incident recalls Shakahola investigations

The latest case comes against the backdrop of the criminal proceedings involving Paul Mackenzie, whose Good News International Church has been at the centre of investigations into the deaths of hundreds of people in Kilifi County.

Authorities have linked the wider Shakahola investigation to allegations that followers were subjected to extreme religious practices, including starvation. Bodies have been recovered from graves in the Shakahola forest in a case that has drawn national and international attention.

Mackenzie faces multiple charges arising from the deaths and related allegations.

The latest rescue is not, in itself, evidence that the eight children were involved in the Shakahola killings. However, investigators are expected to examine whether the circumstances surrounding the children’s alleged fasting and absence from school have any connection to the religious teachings under investigation.

Authorities are yet to announce whether any charges will be brought against Mwele in connection with the latest incident.

The children remain in the custody of authorities as investigations continue.

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