On the entanglement of loyalty: When loyalty becomes a mass grave

What the report says

The Observer published a commentary by Frank Gashumba that uses Kenya’s Shakahola massacre to examine how personal loyalty can shield abuse and silence criticism. The piece refers to pastor Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, who was sentenced earlier this month to 200 years in prison over the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children, in what became known as the Shakahola massacre. Gashumba notes that Mackenzie was convicted alongside followers accused of helping enforce starvation orders and bury the victims, and he cites reports that only one of the co-accused admitted the charges while the others denied them.

The article argues that people close to harmful leaders may ignore warning signs out of loyalty, fear, or dependence, even when the consequences are severe. It also draws a parallel with reactions to Gashumba’s own criticism of some Ugandan Pentecostal and evangelical pastors, whom he accused of false miracles and exploiting desperate believers. According to the column, some faith leaders and congregants responded angrily, while others treated the remarks as an attack on religion itself.

Overall, the commentary asks where loyalty ends and accountability begins. It suggests that protecting personalities, whether in families, churches, or public life, can allow misconduct to continue unchecked. The broader context is the tension between allegiance and whistleblowing in settings where leaders wield moral, social, or spiritual influence.