By Michelle Ndaga
The prosecution today presented five key witnesses in the ongoing terrorism-related trial of Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 95 co-accused in connection with the Shakahola massacre that shocked the nation.
The witnesses included two former prison officers, two police officers, a government chemist, and a civilian, who collectively detailed a pattern of forgery, deception, and radical religious indoctrination allegedly orchestrated by Mackenzie under the guise of his controversial Good News International Church.
Sebastian Namuye, a Malindi resident, testified that Mackenzie had forged his signature in documents registering the church, falsely listing him as the treasurer without his knowledge.
Another witness, Shadrack Musau Mutiso, a former prison officer, recounted a similar experience, stating that Mackenzie used his name, signature, and postal address to register Good News Kenya Ltd.
Mutiso clarified he had never conducted business with Mackenzie, except for a single visit to the church’s Ruiru branch, and had never met the advocate listed on the documents.
Government analyst David Ngumbao testified on the toxicology analysis conducted on 190 bodies and 301 soil samples from Shakahola forest.
He said that 10% of each sample group was analyzed as per standard procedures, and no toxic substances were detected.
He noted that if toxins had been found in any sample, the entire batch would have undergone further testing.
Benson Omar Mutimba, a resident of Webuye, emotionally recounted how his two children—aged 27 and 16 were lured away from school after being told that education was evil.
According to him, his older son was promised a helicopter by Mackenzie as a reward for his loyalty to the teachings.
Mobile phone tracking by the DCI placed his son’s last known location in Malindi, and Safaricom records confirmed a Ksh 200 transfer to Mackenzie’s mobile number from Ukunda.
PC Tony Manjani and DCI officer Gilbert Kiprop gave accounts of arrests made and materials recovered from homes near Shakahola.
Manjani participated in arresting cult members accused of murder.
Kiprop said he recovered a bag containing a comb, photo album, and razor, as well as CDs, DVDs, and pamphlets promoting extremist religious views that discouraged education, medical treatment, and personal grooming.
The case continues to unfold as more witnesses are expected to testify in the coming days.
The trial has drawn national attention due to the mass deaths and suspected cult activities tied to Mackenzie’s teachings in Shakahola forest
