Pastor’s daughter reveals how Mackenzie led followers to death in Shakahola Forest
Mackenzie preached that hospitals and schools were worldly distractions and repeatedly instructed followers to “abandon worldly distractions and prepare for the coming of Jesus.”
Witnesses detailed the inner workings of Paul Nthege Mackenzie’s Good News International church on Monday during the ongoing Shakahola massacre trial involving the preacher and 93 others.
Prosecutors opened a new chapter in the case, presenting testimony that revealed how the church’s teachings evolved into a dangerous cult, contributing to the deaths of hundreds.
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Assistant DPP Jami Yamina led the prosecution team, supported by Prosecution Counsel Yassir Mohammed, and Principal Counsels Alex Ndiema, Betty Rubia, and Victor Owiti.
Brenda Muhati Mwaura, appearing virtually as the 46th witness, recounted her personal experience within the church.
The 26-year-old daughter of Pastor John Mwaura, who had worked closely with Mackenzie, described a faith environment that systematically rejected education, employment, and medical attention.
Brenda said she joined GNI at 13, with her family attending services in Makongeni, Nairobi, and later in Malindi.
Mackenzie preached that hospitals and schools were worldly distractions and repeatedly instructed followers to “abandon worldly distractions and prepare for the coming of Jesus.”
She testified that her father enforced the church’s teachings at home, forcing her to drop out of school in Form Two.
The family’s move to Malindi further entrenched her involvement, with Mackenzie often highlighting Brenda as an example of a “faithful believer” who had forsaken education for God.
Inside the church, Brenda worked as a camera operator for Times TV, GNI’s media wing that produced DVDs of Mackenzie’s sermons.
She described how other youths, such as Sidi Smart and Michael Mweri, left school to work as editors for the church.
By age 18, Brenda broke free from GNI after realising the extent of the manipulation she had endured.
Years later, learning that followers were being starved in the Shakahola Forest, she posted a warning on Facebook, tagging the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). This action drew threats from church members.
“Two people called me, one claimed to be a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, warning me to stop talking about the church. I feared for my life,” she told the court.
She later filed a statement with the DCI.
Brenda also revealed that Mackenzie had sold church assets, including vehicles and recording equipment, before the cult’s collapse.
“I was terrified. I saw it coming,” she said, noting that her father ultimately cut ties with the preacher.
The court also heard from Sergeant Joseph Yator, a DCI officer who was among the first responders to the Shakahola Forest tragedy.
He described how, on March 20, 2023, he met three adults and a malnourished child rescued from the forest.
The child told investigators that his parents, Issack Ngala and Emily Kahunga, had forced him and his siblings to fast under Mackenzie’s orders.
Two children died from starvation and suffocation, prompting the grandfather to alert police.
Mackenzie was arrested on March 22, 2023, but initially released on Sh10,000 bail.
Investigators later rescued 15 more victims, four of whom died, and arrested suspects, including Robert Kahindi Katana, Alfred Asena, and Stephen Muye.
Sergeant Yator presented 89 photographs in court showing materials recovered from the forest, including CDs, books, and pamphlets promoting Mackenzie’s extremist teachings.
He also revealed that Mackenzie had filed a defamation case against Brenda in November 2022, claiming she had accused him online of “burying people in the bush,” which was later proven true.
Dr Laurence Nderi, CEO of Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, also testified, confirming mental evaluations for 31 accused individuals, including Mackenzie.
All were deemed fit for trial, except one person who initially showed a major disorder but was later cleared after treatment.
The trial continues, with prosecutors expected to call more witnesses to unravel the full scale of the Shakahola massacre and the church’s deadly influence.
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