{
  "id": 18752087,
  "title": "He gave up on me: Paul Mackenzie’s son reveals painful childhood after rejecting father’s church",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/he-gave-up-on-me-paul-mackenzies-son-reveals-painful-childhood-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T16:59:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/he-gave-up-on-me-paul-mackenzies-son-reveals-painful-childhood-after-rejecting-fathers-church"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dan Mackenzie, the son of preacher Paul Mackenzie, has revealed the painful impact his rejection of his father's religious teachings had on their relationship. In an interview, Dan recounted how his reluctance to attend church as a child led to a strained connection with Paul. \"He was just rebellious. I didn't want to join or go to church when I was a kid. So he just gave up on me,\" Dan explained. This perspective offers insight into the family life of the preacher whose teachings would later be tied to a devastating tragedy in Kenya. Dan's childhood was further complicated by his father's religious convictions, which drew many people to his faith. However, Dan chose a different path, eventually distancing himself from the church. The decision to leave the religion was not easy. Dan recounted being forced to fast for nearly a week at the age of 12 and being beaten by church members for hours after refusing to attend a service. His departure from the religious group came after losing faith in their promises of heaven. This choice, however, came with a heavy personal cost. Dan lost friends and his younger brother, who remained in the religious environment. In October 2026, Dan alerted authorities after discovering that younger siblings were still being subjected to forced fasting. As a result, police rescued eight children, including five of his younger siblings. Paul Mackenzie was sentenced to 200 years in prison on November 6, 2026, for the murders of 190 children and one adult in the Shakahola case. The sentence included 100 years for murder by starvation and another 100 years for direct homicide. The 28 co-accused received prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years. Dan views the verdict as justice for the lives lost in Shakahola. \"It's justice to the people who we lost over there in Shakahola,\" he stated. His perspective highlights the personal tragedy of losing a parent and family members, as well as the decision to separate from a belief system that defined his childhood. The Shakahola case has left many families seeking answers, and the conviction of Mackenzie marks a significant step towards justice. However, Dan's account provides a unique perspective on the tragedy, shedding light on the experience of a son who chose not to follow his father's path.",
  "summary": "Dan Mackenzie says his refusal to follow his father’s religious teachings came at a personal cost, leaving him with a strained relationship with the preacher now sentenced to 200 years in prison over the Shakahola massacre. For him, the dooms preacher Paul Mackenzie was not simply a father whose controversial religious teachings divided Kenya. He […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}