Fresh fears have gripped Kilifi’s Chakama Ranch following disturbing claims that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie is still running his cult from behind bars, even as six children from a previously rescued family are feared dead and buried in what is being dubbed “Shakahola Two.”

The children—Flora (15), Mary (14), Christine (10), Shadrach (6), Esther (4), and Tonny (1)—were part of a family rescued during last year’s Shakahola operation.

They were among hundreds removed from the forest after a deadly religious cult linked to Mackenzie was exposed. Authorities relocated the children and their parents to Nyadorera, Siaya County, for reintegration. But in March this year, the family quietly returned to Kilifi.

According to relatives, the father, Jairus, had lied that he had secured work in Bondo. In reality, he and his wife Lilian Atieno took the children back to the forest, where they reportedly rejoined Mackenzie’s outlawed sect.

Tragically, the children are now believed to be dead. A close relative who visited the parents at a police station said both confessed to burying the six minors at a hidden location within Kwa Binzaro village, deep inside Chakama Ranch.

“To tell the truth, the children are dead, because he confirmed it to me himself. When I found him at the police station, I was allowed to ask him. He told me the children died and were buried. His wife also told me the same,” the relative told Citizen TV.

Jairus and Lilian were among four people rescued from the forest and later arrested. The relative added that Mackenzie is still directing his followers using a phone, raising questions about prison monitoring.

“This ideology is still going on, and Mackenzie being in prison doesn’t mean anything. He still has his followers outside. He is in prison but operates using a phone. When we were at the DCI, I asked Jairus when he had planned to die, and he said Mackenzie prayed for him over the phone while he was fasting. This week, he ran off to seek help because his fellow followers wanted to kill him after he changed his mind following his children’s deaths,” he said.

Human rights group Haki Africa is warning that the deadly cult is far from over. Its Rapid Response Officer, Mathias Shipeta, says Mackenzie and his co-accused are still preaching “fasting unto death” from prison.

“The government must find a way to control phone use, especially for those charged in Shakahola One,” said Shipeta. “We have received information that Mackenzie and his accomplices are still preaching the gospel of fasting unto death via mobile phones, which, according to the prison service, they are entitled to use for communicating with family. But deeper investigations show they are not speaking to family.”

Shipeta added that based on information from families of victims, there may be more than 47 bodies buried in the area, feared to be the beginning of a fresh wave of cult-linked deaths.

Residents of Kwa Binzaro say signs of renewed radical activity have been visible for weeks. Authorities have now begun the process of securing court warrants to search the forested area, amid efforts to clamp down on what is now seen as a re-emerging threat.

So far, 11 people linked to the alleged cult have been arrested and are currently being held in remand. They are expected to appear in court on August 22.

The rising fears come nearly two years after the country was shocked by the discovery of over 440 mass graves in Shakahola Forest.

Many of the victims had starved to death, while others were found with signs of strangulation, suffocation or blunt force trauma. Court filings at the time also revealed some bodies had missing organs.

Despite the massive public outcry, activists believe elements of Mackenzie’s network remain active, with indoctrination efforts continuing behind the scenes.

“We’ve received reports that some of those previously charged and held at Shimo la Tewa are regrouping and continuing their indoctrination efforts,” said Shipeta. “As we speak, we are concerned that Shakahola Two may have already begun. We are urging the police to act immediately to prevent further deaths.”

Jairus’ brother, who had helped the family settle in Siaya after their rescue, expressed deep shock at their disappearance and the reported deaths of the children.

“He had left for Shakahola with his family the first time. We managed to rescue them, and they returned home. We thought he would reform. But he went back. I have lived with those children. I tried to find out how they are doing, but I haven’t seen them. Now I leave everything to the government to investigate,” he said.

“I ask the government to put an end to this Shakahola issue completely… it should not continue. It seems people are regrouping in the forest.”