By Andrew Kariuki
The prosecution today presented a crucial witness in the manslaughter case against Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 94 co-accused at the Mombasa Law Courts, with her testimony detailing the beliefs and practices she said were promoted within the Good News International Ministry.
The witness told the court she had been a committed member of the ministry for more than ten years and identified herself as one of the “wateule” — followers who believed they were spiritually chosen.
She testified that under Pastor Mackenzie’s teachings, formal education was condemned as an avenue that led believers away from God. According to her, learning was discouraged because it was said to expose people to “evil ways.”
The witness further told the court that she had not used any form of medication for over a decade. She said she relied solely on prayer whenever she fell ill, explaining that she had been taught that medicine was created through “satanic minds” and was therefore dangerous.
She added that the ministry discouraged beauty products, claiming they distorted a person’s natural identity, a belief she admitted she still held.
Before fully embracing the teachings, she worked as an accountant but left the profession in 2018 after being convinced it was “earthly” and was turning her into “a thief.”
She testified that the lessons condemning education, hospitals, and beauty products came directly from Pastor Mackenzie, whom she believed was the first to receive the prophecy that guided the ministry.
The witness told the court she closely followed Mackenzie’s sermons through Good News International Ministry gatherings, Times TV broadcasts, and YouTube messages, including teachings about “the beast,” “kazi ya mteule,” and “njia ni nyembamba.”
During the session, prosecutors also played a video recording in court in which Pastor Mackenzie is heard stating: “My role is to brainwash people of their sins so that their soul meets Jesus Christ in heaven.”
