NAIROBI, Kenya — The defence hearing in the Shakahola terrorism case linked to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie has begun, with accused persons taking the stand in a case involving allegations tied to the deaths of more than 450 followers.
According to a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, four accused persons testified before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma, marking the start of the defence phase after the court ruled that Mackenzie and 95 co-accused have a case to answer.
The case stems from allegations of organised crime, radicalisation, and extremist teachings linked to the Shakahola tragedy in Kilifi County.
The prosecution had previously called 96 witnesses, including survivors, investigators, and experts, and presented nearly 500 exhibits, which the court found sufficient to require the accused to defend themselves.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the first witness, Alice Kawira, told the court she was a “Mteule” and said she purchased land in Shakahola for Sh1,500 after relocating from Mombasa, where she previously ran a business.
She testified that she later sold her house in Mombasa for Sh380,000 before moving permanently to Shakahola.
Kawira also said she attended church services in Bombolulu but did not know the official name of the church, which she claimed had no signpost.
She further told the court she did not believe in taking children to school or the hospital, adding that her six-year-old child died following an accident.
Another accused person, Lucas Owino Ogola, 41, said he previously attended the Good News International Church in Nairobi before its closure in 2019 and identified Mackenzie as its leader.
Ogola declined to take an oath using the Bible, saying his faith did not permit it. He also told the court he once heard a voice he believed was from Jesus instructing him to leave, prompting his travel to Shakahola.
He further claimed he initially thought he was going to “Samaria” and not Shakahola, and narrated incidents of assault while at the settlement over disagreements with others.
Ogola told the court he never heard Mackenzie instruct congregants to starve themselves and said prayer had played a key role in his recovery after falling ill in custody.
The accused persons were placed on their defence following the close of the prosecution’s case, with the court affirming that the evidence presented was sufficient to require a response.
The trial continues as the court hears testimonies from the remaining co-accused in one of Kenya’s most closely watched terrorism-related proceedings.
