MOMBASA, Kenya — The prosecution has presented disturbing testimony in the ongoing manslaughter trial against Good News International Church founder Paul Mackenzie and five co-accused, with protected witnesses describing prolonged starvation, confinement and psychological manipulation at the Kwa Binzaro settlement in Kilifi County.
The testimony was heard on Tuesday before the Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court as the prosecution continued building its case against Mackenzie and his co-accused.
A 60-year-old protected witness, identified as KK, told the court she had worshipped at Good News International Church in Furunzi, Malindi, for 10 years before relocating to Kwa Binzaro after being convinced that fasting would secure her entry into heaven.
She testified that she sold her sewing machine for Sh7,000 to finance the journey to the settlement.
According to the witness, she and other followers were locked inside a house for seven days without food or water, with only a bucket provided for use as a toilet.
“On the seventh day, I started shouting and asking for water because I could no longer continue praying,” she told the court.
KK further testified that Mackenzie regularly preached that the world was coming to an end and discouraged followers from seeking education or medical treatment, describing both as contrary to God’s will.
She also claimed church members were prohibited from plaiting their hair, wearing make-up or registering for Huduma Numbers, which they were allegedly told were against biblical teachings.
Teenager recounts ordeal
The court also heard from an 18-year-old protected witness, identified as NK, who testified that co-accused Shallyne Temba persuaded her mother to relocate the family to Kwa Binzaro for prayer and fasting.
She said she later spoke directly to Mackenzie by telephone while he was being held at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison.
“The phone was passed to me, and I told Mackenzie I was ready to fast. He told me that time was running out and that we needed to hurry,” she testified.
NK told the court she became too weak after fasting for seven days and asked to return home, but alleged that co-accused Kahindi Garama refused, saying her condition would raise questions if she left.
She further testified that after she and her mother broke their fast because they could no longer endure the starvation, Temba informed Mackenzie by telephone.
The witness said she recognised Mackenzie’s voice after the call was placed on loudspeaker.
“I clearly heard Mackenzie instruct Shallyne to hand the phone to me because I had known his voice for a long time while attending the Good News International Church in Furunzi,” she told the court.
According to NK, Mackenzie instructed her to cooperate with those at the settlement so she could regain her strength before returning home, although those present allegedly continued encouraging her to resume fasting.
She also alleged that after repeatedly demanding water and banging on a door, she was tied by her arms and legs before being released following her mother’s intervention.
Proceedings were briefly suspended after the witness broke down in tears during cross-examination.
In an emotional statement before the court, she lamented dropping out of school because of the events.
“I wish I had the opportunity to go to school and get a good education like you and become someone important in society. It pains me to see your client following these proceedings because he greatly contributed to my dropping out of school,” she said.
Mackenzie, together with Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali and Johnson Richard, has denied 29 counts of manslaughter.
The prosecution alleges the six jointly caused the deaths of 29 people between January and July 2025 at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-county, Kilifi County. The trial is continuing.