A dramatic twist unfolded at the Mombasa High Court on October 5, during the Shakahola murder trial, as defendant Moses Karema, alias Sharifu, appeared alive despite his father’s testimony on October 4, 2025, claiming he had died and been buried.
Justice Diana Mochache presided over the hearing, where controversial preacher Paul Makenzie and 29 others face 191 counts of murder related to the 2023 Shakahola incident.
Buried Man Comes Alive
Moses Karema confirmed his identity as Sharifu to the court, stating he is detained at Shimo la Tewa Prisons for a separate Shakahola case.
His unexpected presence shocked attendees, as his father had previously told the court that Moses was deceased and had been buried.
Karema’s presence in court was confirmed through official identification documents, including a national ID verified by the relevant government bureau.
This revelation challenges the credibility of witnesses in the high-profile trial, which continues to expose the full extent of the 2023 tragedy.
Adding to the complexity, both Karema’s parents and sister are also facing charges in separate proceedings linked to the Shakahola tragedy.
Name Confusion
The confusion stems from the use of multiple names.
Karema’s father referred to his son as “Sharifu,” a name he claimed to have given him, while other witnesses and official records identify the man as Moses Karema.
The father also used the name “Musa” interchangeably, further complicating the matter.
A fifth witness clarified that Karema had never been re-baptized and had been known as Moses Karema since 2005, when he lived with his father.
“This raises a critical issue. If the father buried someone he believed to be his son, who was that person? And how did the misidentification occur?” Justice Mochache noted.
The father’s testimony has come under scrutiny, especially given his admission that he had not been in contact with his son for years.
Justice Mochache asked Moses to name all his 10 siblings and state their occupation and whereabouts.
He also mentioned other children, Emmanuel, Matthew, Neema, and Moris, whose whereabouts remain unclear.
Court’s Orders
The court has ordered that the investigators should find the records of the specific mortuary that Moses’ father claimed he took the body from.
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Furthermore, Justice Diana Mochache ordered the court to bring Karema’s father back to court after the recent statements so that the court could clarify and better understand his statements.
“This case is not just about murder charges. It is now about the integrity of witness testimony and the reliability of identification processes in mass casualty events.”
Justice Mochache gave investigators two weeks to submit their findings and requested that the investigating officer compile a comprehensive report on the family’s structure, the burial records, and the identity of the person interred.
As the trial continues, the appearance of a man once thought dead has not only stunned the courtroom but also cast a long shadow over the reliability of evidence in one of Kenya’s most disturbing criminal cases.
Shakahola Massacre
The Shakahola massacre trial currently unfolding at the Mombasa High Court has gripped the nation with its chilling revelations and unprecedented legal scope.
Presided over by Justice Diana Mochache, the case involves 30 defendants, including controversial preacher Paul Makenzie, who face a staggering 191 counts of murder.
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The victims, many of whom were allegedly followers of Makenzie’s cult-like movement, are believed to have died from starvation and other causes under the guise of religious fasting.
Legal experts have described the case as one of the most complex and harrowing criminal proceedings in Kenya’s history, not only due to the sheer number of victims but also because of the complicated web of familial ties, identity confusion, and alleged cover-ups.
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