Witness Details How Paul Mackenzie Used Scripture to Justify Deadly Fasting at Shakahola

Nairobi, Kenya — September 23, 2025, 17:20 EAT.

A witness in the Shanzu Law Courts has told the court how preacher Paul Mackenzie allegedly twisted a verse from Revelation 13:11 to radicalize his followers into a fast that ended in death. The testimony forms part of the hearings into the Shakahola forest cult, one of Kenya’s deadliest religious tragedies in recent years. 

The Latest

• In testimony before Principal Magistrate Leah Juma, a prosecution witness recounted how Mackenzie repeatedly cited Revelation 13:11, describing a pregnant woman hidden in the wilderness for 1,260 days to escape a seven-headed dragon. Mackenzie is alleged to have told followers that the dragon represented the devil and worldly authorities (“wamataifa”), and that the “woman” stood for his church and chosen ones (“wateule”). 

• The witness said the wilderness was defined as Shakahola forest, where Mackenzie’s followers withdrew after disbanding his Furunzi church. He further interpreted the 1,260 days as a prophetic period (3½ years), signaling an impending apocalypse. As the deadline approached, adherents were encouraged to fast with urgency (“beat the clock”), many believing that failing to do so risked damnation. 

• The court heard that those who resisted fasting were pressured, even threatened with violence. One witness, identified as E.I., said his father warned that many of his peers were “already with God,” while he was wasting time and risk being caught in “babeli” (hell or damnation). Another pastor, known only as George, was said to have reinforced Mackenzie’s apocalyptic narrative. 

Context in Brief

• The Shakahola forest incident involves mass deaths tied to extreme fasting practices promoted by Paul Mackenzie, pastor of Good News International Church. In 2023, dozens of bodies were exhumed in shallow graves, many showing signs of severe malnutrition. 

• Mackenzie has been accused of radicalizing followers through religious teachings, isolation, and apocalyptic prophecies. He allegedly asked followers to abandon worldly life, drop IDs, avoid formal schooling, and refuse medical treatment. 

Law, Policy, and Process

• Under Kenyan law, promoting beliefs that endanger life can amount to criminal offences: manslaughter, criminal negligence, possibly homicide, and offenses tied to child protection.

• Religious freedom is protected by the Constitution, but it does not extend to acts that cause death, harm, or gross violations of bodily autonomy.

• Courts require evidence: witness testimony, medical reports, forensic findings, and verification of the preaching content (sermons, recordings). Prosecutors must show causation and intent.

Voices & Stakeholders

• Prosecution Witness: Provided detailed narrative of how Mackenzie used Revelation 13:11 to incite followers into deadly fasting and enforced obedience through fear and threat. 

• Paul Mackenzie (defendant): While in custody, Mackenzie has repeatedly claimed media misinterpretation of his sermons and disputed that he forced or coerced followers. (From earlier reports.) 

• Family Members / Victims: The witness “E.I.” testified about pressure from a parent. Many families lost relatives under circumstances attributed to the fast.

Evidence & Data Box

Fact	Detail
Scripture cited	Revelation 13:11 — vision of a woman, 1,260 days, dragon, wilderness
Interpretation	Woman = Mackenzie’s church / faithful; Dragon = Satan / worldly powers; Wilderness = Shakahola; 1,260 days = prophetic countdown to rapture or catastrophic event
Recruitment & Pressure	Followers encouraged to fast as deadline approached; some threatened if they resisted
Timeframe of fast	Began in 2020, associated with Mackenzie’s move into Shakahola and withdrawal from Furunzi church

Risks, Implications & Scenarios

• Accountability Risk: If the court accepts testimony and evidence, Mackenzie and co-defendants may face serious criminal charges, including causing death through coercion or negligence.

• Precedent-setting: The case could set legal precedent about the limits of religious preaching when it causes bodily harm or death.

• Social / Religious Impact: The revelations may lead to calls for stronger regulation, oversight, and monitoring of religious sects and teachings in Kenya.

What We Don’t Know Yet

• How many followers have died specifically as a direct result of this interpreted fast (vs general malnutrition) under Mackenzie’s doctrine.

• Full content of Mackenzie’s sermons or writings used to persuade/fear followers; whether he documented his interpretations in writing.

• The role of other church leaders (e.g., the pastor “George”) in reinforcing or facilitating coercion.

• How many families or survivors are contesting Mackenzie’s version in court.

Timeline

• 2020: Mackenzie begins drawing followers to Shakahola from his Furunzi church; fast culture intensifies. 

• 2023: Early legal actions; extension of detention and preliminary investigations into death cases; rescue operations at Shakahola begin. 

• September 23, 2025: Witness testimony given in Shanzu Law Courts by prosecution witness describing the scriptural abuse and coercion. 

What to Watch

• Verification of further evidence: medical and forensic reports that tie fasting under Mackenzie’s direction to deaths.

• How the court rules on the admissibility of Mackenzie’s sermons and related apocalyptic interpretations.

• Potential for survivors or families to bring civil suits for damages.

• Policy or legislative interest in regulating religious preaching, particularly in cults or fringe sects.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on the AllAfrica / Capital FM piece “KC: Witness Details How Mackenzie Used Bible Verse to Justify Deadly Fasting” published September 23, 2025. All quotes and details reflect trial testimony as reported.

Corrections / Updates: Will update if court filings or transcript become publicly accessible.