Videos played in Shanzu Court have exposed the horrifying conditions faced by followers of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie at the Good News International Church. The footage shows that church members were bound with ropes while still alive during a period of enforced fasting and were buried in this condition after their deaths.
The videos, presented in court on Monday, revealed that the bodies were wrapped in white sheets, with ropes tied around their legs and necks. Some bodies were found encased in blankets and plastic bags, ensuring they could not escape even in death.
“I have never seen anything like this before. I carefully removed the bodies from the soil after grave diggers reached the burial sites,” said police constable Bernard Jefwa. His testimony corroborates earlier police investigations, which uncovered evidence of torture chambers in the forest. Items such as cloth fragments and ropes, along with many unidentified objects, were discovered last year.
Investigators stated that during rescue operations, some victims were found naked and bound at the legs with cloth strips to prevent them from escaping or seeking help. Jefwa, who specializes in homicide investigations, detailed his experience in exhuming bodies.
“I had exhumed several bodies elsewhere before the Shakahola incident. I had been doing this work for two years before joining the team in the forest,” he told lead prosecutor Victor Owiti when asked about his work and experience.
Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma watched the video on a television screen set up in the courtroom. The video took her back to the exhumation process in the forest last year, showing the bodies of victims being carefully unearthed.
“It was horrifying, but I had to focus on the task,” Magistrate Juma noted, as she took notes while watching the footage. “Before removing the bodies from the graves, I had to label each one, assign it a number, place it in a separate bag, and seal it for transport to the morgue for autopsy,” Jefwa explained.
As the tapes were shown in court, Mackenzie watched intently before whispering to his lawyer, Lawrence Obonyo. He then sat back, deep in thought, before raising his head again to watch the bodies being unearthed, frequently resting his left hand on his chin.
In this case, Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Maweu, and 93 others have pleaded not guilty to four charges related to terrorism and radicalization.
| Allegation | Details Revealed |
|---|---|
| Followers were bound and starved | Videos showed bodies tied with ropes, wrapped in sheets, blankets, and plastic bags. |
| Evidence of torture chambers | Police found cloth fragments, ropes, and other unidentified objects in the forest. |
| Rescued victims found bound | Some victims were discovered naked and bound at the legs to prevent escape. |
The disturbing details from Shakahola have shocked the public, highlighting the extreme measures taken by the church to ensure control over its followers.
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