The defence hearing in the high-profile Shakahola massacre case linked to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie has officially commenced, with several accused persons taking the stand in proceedings tied to the deaths of more than 450 followers in Kilifi County.
The hearings are taking place before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma after the court ruled that Mackenzie and 95 co-accused had a case to answer.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the defence phase follows months of testimony from survivors, investigators and expert witnesses.
Witness Says She Sold Home to Relocate to Shakahola
One of the accused persons, Alice Kawira, testified that she moved to Shakahola after purchasing land for Ksh1,500.
Kawira told the court that she had previously operated a business in Mombasa before selling her house for Ksh380,000 and relocating permanently to the settlement.
She further stated that she attended church services in Bombolulu but claimed she did not know the official name of the church because it had no signpost.
The witness also revealed that she did not believe in taking children to school or hospital, adding that her six-year-old child died after an accident.
Accused Declines Bible Oath in Court
Another accused person, Lucas Owino Ogola, declined to take an oath using the Bible, saying his faith did not permit it.
Ogola testified that he had attended the Good News International Church in Nairobi before its closure in 2019 and identified Mackenzie as its leader.
He further claimed he once heard what he believed was the voice of Jesus instructing him to travel, prompting his move to Shakahola.
According to his testimony, he initially thought he was travelling to “Samaria” and not Shakahola.
Ogola also narrated alleged incidents of assault at the settlement and insisted he never heard Mackenzie instruct followers to starve themselves.
Court Previously Ruled Accused Have Case to Answer
The prosecution had earlier presented 96 witnesses and nearly 500 exhibits during the trial.
The evidence included testimony from survivors, detectives and forensic experts investigating the deaths discovered in the Shakahola forest.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the court ruled that the evidence presented was sufficient to require Mackenzie and his co-accused to defend themselves against terrorism-related charges.
Case Continues to Draw National Attention
The Shakahola case remains one of Kenya’s most closely watched criminal proceedings due to allegations of radicalisation, organised crime and extremist religious teachings linked to the deaths of hundreds of followers.
The defence hearing is expected to continue in the coming weeks as more accused persons testify before the court.
