A witness in the trial of controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie asked his followers to reject the Bible and embrace prolonged fasting.
The prosecution presented its 19th prosecution witness in a matter where Mackenzie and seven others are facing radicalisation charges before Shanzu Law Courts.
“The witness, who is a former follower of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, gave a harrowing testimony regarding the activities and teachings within the Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro area. The witness, identified as J.O told the court that he had six children, aged 2, 4, 6, 13, 15 and 16 years, all of whom died at Kwa Binzaro, while four children from his first wife remained alive,” a statement by DPP said.
The witness testified that he lived in Shakahola between May 2021 and February 2023, where he attended teachings conducted under ‘Mitola’ trees by Paul Mackenzie.
According to the witness, Mackenzie prohibited them from reading the Bible since it was viewed as a signboard that directs somebody but does not accompany him/her.
Allegations against Mackenzie
Mackenzie is alleged to have taught the followers that the Bible was merely paper and no longer necessary, as they had Jesus with them, and they could see and communicate with him, which the witness interpreted as Mackenzie referring to himself as Jesus.
According to the witness, Mackenzie also urged people to tell lies, particularly to government officials, as he considered all levels of national administration, from the president to the village elder, to be evil. Members of other churches and family members outside the movement were also labelled evil and were supposed to be lied to.
They were also forbidden from marrying because there is no marriage in heaven. Employment and normal family life were termed unnecessary for those preparing to enter heaven. These teachings led many followers to abandon their jobs, separate from their spouses, and isolate themselves from their families.
“The followers were instructed to undertake prolonged fasting without food or water in preparation for death, believing it was the quickest route to heaven. He told the court that this kind of fasting was referred to as ‘kufunga express,’ which meant people were to fast till death,” the witness added.
Witnessed deaths
The witness further testified that he personally witnessed deaths resulting from prolonged fasting and named several individuals who died in his presence.
He recalled one incident where his four-year-old child had repeatedly cried for milk tea before later dying. The witness testified that after the child took his final breath, Tuva, George, and Kahindi arrived and shouted “amepenya.” He explained that within the group, the term meant that a person had died and had gone directly to heaven.
“The witness became emotional while recounting the suffering of the children, telling the court that one child repeatedly called out the names of all his family members, siblings and teachers while crying for help. He testified that other members present in court prevented him from intervening, despite his desire to do so. He was able to identify each one of them by name,” it added.
“The witness further alleged that he saw Tom and Kahindi suffocating victims, including a man identified as Owino, whom he testified was still alive before he was allegedly suffocated.”
