A 17-year-old boy narrated to a Mombasa court how Shakahola massacre key suspect Paul Nthenge Mackenzie allegedly shielded a man who defiled his little sister inside his Good News International Church (GNI).
The then 10-year-old boy stated that the man was a husband to a female preacher at Mackenzi’s GNI church located at Furunzi- Malindi, Kilifi County.
He accused Mackenzie and Pastor George Mwaura of obstructing his mother from reporting the incident at Malindi Police Station.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku heard that the two GNI pastors wanted to resolve the defilement case within the church. Mackenzie is said to have told the victim’s mother, a member of his church, not to report the incident, promising to deal with the culprit.
However, the witness said, instead, Mackenzie and pastor Mwaura swept the matter under the carpet frustrating their quest for justice.
The court heard that the girl was later married to a man who had eloped with her at a tender age.
He said the incident changed his perception towards Mackenzie and his church forcing him to abandon the daily bible studies sessions. The witness said one early morning his mother arrived home with a man who tied his hands from the back and returned him to the bible studies.
The minor told Magistrate Ithuku that upon arrival, an accused person before the court and Mackenzie’s brother whipped him thoroughly for absconding the studies.
The boy testified that there were over 70 children, whose parents enrolled them at the GNI church bible studies classes. They were taught to abhor education, medication and other worldly affairs with children guided to memorize bible verses for references.
The witness read some of the verses he had memorized, in a courtroom parked with Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu and 92 others charged with 283 counts of manslaughter.
The witness also testified how one of the accused persons, Evans Kolombe Sirya, coached children and made them lie to a Malindi magistrate court in a case against Mackenzie.
Apparently, Sirya would ferry the minors with his tuktuk to the court and demonstrate to them how to testify prior to them testifying testimonies and invoked the wrath of God if they tell the truth.
The minor’s mother relocated to Shakahola forest alongside Mackenzie’s other followers and died after several days of deadly fasting. The court heard that her remains are yet to be found and DNA analysis is yet to match to any of 429 bodies recovered from shallow graves.
The minor said his mother made three trips between their Malindi home and Shakahola forest despite members of families prevailing against her decision.
Further hearing continues 9-12 September 2023.
