KILIFI, Kenya — A protected witness on Thursday 6, August 2026 gave dramatic testimony in the ongoing Shakahola mass deaths trial, telling the Shanzu Law Courts that self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie appeared to transform into a snake before allegedly biting her husband while they were living in Shakahola.
The witness, identified in court only as LA, testified before Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. Mwanamkuu that the alleged incident occurred at around 7 p.m. after Mackenzie visited their homestead.
According to her testimony, Mackenzie’s head first transformed into a snake before the rest of his body followed, after which the snake allegedly bit her husband, identified as J.O.
The court heard the account as LA recounted the events and religious teachings she said influenced her family’s decision to relocate to Shakahola, where six of her children later died.
LA further testified that after initially leaving Shakahola, her family returned following a telephone call from Mackenzie while he was in prison.
She told the court that Mackenzie spoke to her husband and urged him to return to what followers referred to as “jangwani” (the wilderness) to fast to death in preparation for meeting Jesus.
According to the witness, Mackenzie later requested to speak to her during the same conversation, claiming that he “had the souls of everyone who was initially in Shakahola” and telling her that her deceased wife was waiting for them in heaven.
LA testified that after speaking with him for about 20 minutes, she agreed to return because she believed his teachings would lead the family to salvation.
The protected witness corroborated earlier evidence given by her husband, J.O., telling the court that teachings allegedly propagated by Mackenzie and his co-accused ultimately led to the deaths of their six children.
She said she had initially been a member of Voice of Salvation Church before joining Good News International Ministries, where she embraced Mackenzie’s teachings and later relocated to Shakahola.
LA told the court that followers were taught to reject formal education and employment.
“When you study and get a job, that work is a sin,” she testified.
She further alleged that believers were discouraged from seeking medical treatment because they were taught that Jesus alone heals and that hospitals represented evil due to the serpent symbol commonly associated with medical services.
The witness also claimed followers were taught that Huduma Namba represented “the mark of the beast” and that anyone possessing a national identity card belonged to the devil.
Also Read: Mackenzie, 30 co-accused to defend themselves in Shakahola murder case
According to her testimony, believers were instructed to burn their identity cards.
Although she said she did not destroy her own because she believed she had already received “the mark of the beast,” she testified that she burnt her children’s birth certificates in obedience to the teachings.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case against Mackenzie and his co-accused over the Shakahola deaths.
Prosecutors allege that the accused used extremist religious teachings to persuade followers to isolate themselves from society, reject formal education, healthcare and government services, and eventually fast to death in the belief that they would meet Jesus.
Mackenzie has denied the charges facing him. The trial is continuing before the Shanzu Law Courts.
