Minor testifies how parents moved by Mackenzie healing miracles converted to Christianity

In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing manslaughter trial against Paul Mackenzie, the suspected mastermind behind the Shakahola massacre, a minor state witness has provided crucial testimony about how followers were lured to the controversial pastor's church.

The minor, who has been attending court sessions, revealed to Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku that his late mother, a Muslim, converted to Christianity after witnessing what she believed to be miraculous healings performed by Mackenzie.

According to the witness, the conversion happened after his mother took him to Mackenzie's church for healing.

"My mother and all my siblings converted to Christianity and began attending Mackenzie's church following his healing powers," the minor testified.

He claimed that at one time he was unwell and was taken to Mackenzie's church, where he was prayed for and got better.

"I witnessed his healing powers and began attending church," said the minor.

The minor further described how Mackenzie convinced his followers that modern medicine was evil, instructing them to avoid seeking medical treatment when ill.

"Mackenzie made his followers believe that modern medicine was against his teachings, and no one was allowed to seek treatment when sick," he stated.

In his testimony, the minor also detailed a personal connection to the case, revealing how Mackenzie's wife, Rhoda Mumbua, had sought healing for her sister, who was struggling with mental health issues.

Alleged cult leader Paul Mackenzie, the key suspect in the Shakahola massacre, at the Shakahola Law Courts in Mombasa County on March 13, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

"I remember Pastor Mackenzie once praying for Mumbua's sister, who had mental health problems, and she was healed. Mumbua later married Pastor Mackenzie," he said.

The witness recounted how his mother, who had become a devout follower, began making all major decisions for the family after joining the church.

"My mother made all the decisions after she joined Mackenzie's church, even though my father, who is now deceased, never converted to Christianity. My mother seemed to have more control over our home after joining the church," he testified.

The minor also described a distressing encounter with Mackenzie regarding his mother's whereabouts, raising suspicions on the church activities.

"I once called Mackenzie and asked about my mother's whereabouts. He told me there was tension in the forest and that she had gone into hiding after a police raid," he said.

The witness also implicated Evans Kolombe Sirya, one of the accused, in coaching children to testify falsely in Mackenzie's favour.

"Sirya used to ferry minors to court and instruct them on how to lie during testimonies, threatening them with divine retribution if they told the truth," the minor alleged.

The minor's mother, along with other followers, had relocated to Shakahola and died after days of fasting.

Her remains have yet to be identified among the 429 bodies recovered from shallow graves. Despite family attempts to dissuade her, she made three trips between Malindi and Shakahola.

The case will continue from September 9 to 12, 2024.