MOMBASA, Kenya — A former follower of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie has told the Shanzu Law Courts that the preacher allegedly instructed members of his congregation to reject the Bible, abandon their families and undertake prolonged fasting until death as a pathway to heaven.
The testimony was delivered on Wednesday by the prosecution’s 19th witness in the ongoing trial in which Mackenzie and seven co-accused face charges related to radicalisation.
Witness Recounts Loss of Six Children
The witness, identified in court only as J.O., testified that he lost six children aged 2, 4, 6, 13, 15 and 16 at Kwa Binzaro, while four children from his first marriage survived.
He told the court he lived in Shakahola between May 2021 and February 2023, where he regularly attended teachings conducted by Mackenzie under what he described as “Mitola” trees.
According to the witness, Mackenzie discouraged followers from reading the Bible.
He alleged that Mackenzie taught congregants that the Bible was merely “papers” and likened it to a signpost that points people in a direction but does not accompany them on their journey.
The witness told the court Mackenzie allegedly claimed followers no longer needed the Bible because they already had Jesus with them and could communicate directly with Him.
J.O. said he interpreted those teachings to mean Mackenzie was presenting himself as Jesus.
Alleged Teachings on Isolation and Deception
The witness further testified that followers were allegedly instructed to lie to government officials and outsiders because Mackenzie regarded all levels of government—from the President to village elders—as evil.
He also claimed members of other churches and relatives who were not part of the movement were labelled evil and were not to be trusted.
According to the testimony, followers were discouraged from marrying, working or maintaining family relationships because they were preparing to enter heaven.
The witness said many members abandoned their jobs, separated from their spouses and isolated themselves from relatives after embracing the teachings.
‘Express Fasting’
J.O. told the court followers were instructed to undertake prolonged fasting without food or water, believing it was the quickest route to heaven.
He said the practice was referred to within the group as “kufunga express,” which he described as fasting until death.
The witness testified that he personally saw several people die during the fasting programme.
Among the most emotional parts of his testimony was his account of his four-year-old child, who he said repeatedly cried for milk tea before dying.
After the child died, the witness alleged that individuals identified as Tuva, George and Kahindi arrived and shouted “amepenya,” a phrase he said members used to signify that someone had died and entered heaven.
The witness became visibly emotional while recounting the deaths of his children, telling the court that one child repeatedly cried out the names of family members, siblings and teachers while pleading for help.
He testified that other followers prevented him from intervening despite his desire to rescue the child, adding that he was able to identify those individuals in court.
Allegations of Suffocation
The witness also alleged that he saw two individuals, identified as Tom and Kahindi, suffocating victims, including a man identified as Owino.
According to his testimony, Owino was still alive before he was allegedly suffocated.
The allegations were presented as part of the prosecution’s case and have not yet been tested through cross-examination or determined by the court.
Mackenzie and his co-accused have denied the charges facing them. The trial continues before the Shanzu Law Courts.
