The trial of Pastor Mackenzie and his 95 co-accused resumed Tuesday at Mombasa Law Courts before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku. A male minor who is currently under the care of the Witness Protection Agency testified.
The testimony of the minor was quite distressing. “My family saw Mackenzie on TV,” he started. “We were influenced by his teachings. We traveled from Kitale to Malindi then to Shakahola Madukani.”
He narrated their arrival, “Mackenzie sent Joseph, an elderly man from his security team, to meet us.” His words went on, “Mackenzie asked us to fast and get ready to ‘go to Jesus’.
The minor narrated the instructions on fasting by Mackenzie. “He explained that children should fast first, followed by the youth, then women, and lastly men.” He added, “He said he would be the one to fast last as he would fly to heaven to meet us.
Conditions were harsh. “After three days of not eating anything, I attempted to flee,” he said. “I needed food. A neighbor saw me and reported it to Mackenzie.”
The attempt at escaping was met with severe consequences. “My mother and the followers of Mackenzie beat me,” he remembered. “An old man took a photo of me and sent it to Mackenzie.
He was kidnapped back home. “My mother came accompanied by two men, pretending to be chiefs,” he said. “Then I was tied up so that I don’t run away again.”
The minor eventually managed to run away again. “I sought refuge in a school then a children’s home,” he said.
The list of serious charges against the accused includes torture and cruelty against children, violations of the Basic Education Act, terrorism, radicalisation, membership in a terrorist group, and murder-all not a small list against the accused and one that includes Mackenzie. The trial continues with a presentation of further evidence and testimonie
