The prosecution on 29th September 2025 presented five witnesses in the ongoing terrorism-related case against controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 95 co-accused persons before the Shanzu Law Courts.

The witnesses, including former prison officers, police officers, a government chemist, and a civilian, painted a troubling picture of forgery, deception, and religious extremism tied to Mackenzie and the operations of his Good News International Church.

Sebastian Namuye, a Malindi resident, testified that Mackenzie allegedly forged his signature to falsely list him as the treasurer of the church during rregistration.

Similarly, Shadrack Musau Mutiso, a former prison warden, told the court his name and address were fraudulently used in the registration of Good News Kenya Ltd, despite only visiting Mackenzie’s church once.

Government chemist David Ngumbao detailed his analysis of toxicology samples from the Shakahola forest tragedy.

He confirmed that extracts from 190 human bodies and 301 soil samples tested negative for toxic substances, in line with laboratory protocols.

Another witness, Benson Omar Mutimba from Webuye, recounted how two of his children were lured into Mackenzie’s sect.

He told the court his 27- and 16-year-old sons were convinced to abandon school after being told education was evil.

One of them even transferred Ksh 200 ($1.50) to Mackenzie’s phone and was allegedly promised a helicopter for his loyalty.

Police officers PC Tony Manjani and Gilbert Kiprop testified on the arrests of escapees from Shakahola and the recovery of incriminating items at Mackenzie’s residence, including religious pamphlets, DVDs, and end-times literature discouraging education and medical treatment.

The case continues as the court hears chilling details linking Mackenzie to the Shakahola massacre.