Written by Were Kelly
An expert witness for the prosecution has told a Kenyan court that the teachings of Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, currently on trial for terrorism-related offences, constituted a dangerous misinterpretation of the Bible that promoted extreme and unbiblical practices.
Dr. Stephen Gathogo Anyenda, the Chief Executive Officer of the Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics, presented his findings before the Shanzu Law Courts where Mackenzie and 92 co-accused face charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Dr. Anyenda, submitted an extensive expert report on biblical hermeneutics, outlining how scriptural interpretation directly influences community beliefs and social structures. His testimony delved into specific doctrines, contrasting mainstream Christian understanding with the teachings propagated by Mackenzie’s Good News International Church.
He particularly highlighted the church’s stance on fasting, which he said was distorted from its traditional purpose. “Christian fasting is meant to seek God’s guidance, express repentance, and deepen intimacy with God not as a pathway to heaven, as taught in Pastor Mackenzie’s Good News International Church,” Dr. Anyenda testified.
The expert witness revealed he had analysed several of Mackenzie’s sermons on YouTube, which he described as containing “extreme and misleading” messages. He cautioned the court that selectively reading the Bible fundamentally distorts its meaning, urging that scripture must be read in its entirety to grasp its proper context and truth. “The Bible offers profound wisdom when interpreted accurately, guiding individuals and communities toward truth and righteousness,” he said.
The court also heard poignant testimony from a Tanzanian man whose wife is among the accused. He recounted the personal tragedy unfolding alongside the complex legal proceedings, stating that he last spoke to his children in 2023 and all efforts to locate them had failed.
He informed the court that DNA analysis conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had established a link between him and one of the deceased children recovered from the Shakahola forest area, prompting plans to travel to Malindi to verify if the child was his.
The distraught father explained the profound impact of the disappearance on his family life, saying, “He has avoided visiting his parents since his three sons disappeared, explaining that he does not know how to tell them about their missing grandsons.”
Further insight into the lifestyle and beliefs enforced within the church was provided by the 76th prosecution witness, a self-described devoted member of the Good News International Church. She testified that she had not sought any form of medical treatment since 2014, adhering to church doctrines that reject modern medicine.
She added that congregants were actively discouraged from using beauty products or registering for the government’s Huduma Namba, beliefs she stated she continues to uphold. The hearing, prosecuted by Jami Yamina for the DPP, continues as more witnesses are scheduled to testify. The case continues before the Shanzu Law Courts
