In a gripping testimony at the Mombasa High Court, George Mwaura Kiburu, a former co-preacher of Paul Mackenzie, revealed the teachings that allegedly led to the tragic Shakahola massacre.
Appearing before Justice Diana Kavedza on December 11, Mwaura detailed Mackenzie's doctrine that he claims urged followers to abandon everyday life in preparation for a 'rapture' scheduled for June 2023.
His testimony highlighted the tactics MacKenzie allegedly used within the Good News Church.
Mwaura, who worked with Mackenzie from 2018 through 2020, testified that the church discouraged engagement with government services, including the use of Huduma Number cards, as part of its teachings.
"I was convinced to quit my job as a bus driver and join MacKenzie's Good News Church. My daughter also left school to edit his sermons," Mwaura told the court.
The former co-preacher revealed that Mackenzie preached that a divine rapture would occur in 2023, allowing the faithful to ascend to heaven while sinners remained behind.
Video clips played before the court confirmed that the church discouraged education and healthcare messages. Mwaura stated that despite immediately questioning the doctrine, the preacher allegedly persisted and maintained the doctrine, resulting in intense isolation from modern-day society.
Other testimonies from Bernard Mkalasinga (a brother to a victim) and Monica Muvea (a sister to a victim) were presented before the court on Thursday as well.
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George Mwaura's testimony adds to the details determined from previous submissions regarding the situation and practices in MacKenzie's cult.
Senior Scene of Crime Investigating Officer Benson Ingosi, while testifying, said the police found several victims inside fasting bays, which were enclosed with thorny branches.
In addition, YouTube videos of his teachings reveal that the pastor depended a lot on Kenyan, Tanzanian, and foreign media to scare his followers into submission.
Moreover, Mackenzie often used a faithful from Tanzania, whom he claimed was a prophet and could tell the future.
MacKenzie's doctrine culminated in the death of 191 people.
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