A 17-year-old teenager has revealed how controversial pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie covered up for a man alleged to have defiled his younger sister inside his Good News International Church (GNI).
According to a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on August 16, the boy testified in a Mombasa court about the involvement of Mackenzie and another individual he identified as Pastor George Mwaura in the case.
The teen stated that the two attempted to prevent his mother from reporting the incident to the Malindi police station.
“Mombasa Chief Magistrate Hon Alex Ithuku heard that the two GNI pastors wanted to resolve the defilement case within the church,” stated the ODPP.
“Mackenzie told the victim’s mother, a member of his church, not to report the incident, promising to deal with the culprit,” he added.
The witness also disclosed that Mackenzie remained silent about the situation, leading to the girl eventually being married off to a man who had eloped with her at a young age.
“However, the witness said, instead, Mackenzie and pastor Mwaura swept the matter under the carpet frustrating their quest for justice. The court heard that the girl was later married to a man who had eloped with her at a tender age,” ODPP said.
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Brother to Mackenzie Assaults Teen
Following the traumatic experience, the seventeen-year-old stated that the incident led him to abandon the daily bible studies sessions.
However, he disclosed that his decision did not sit well with his mother and the preachers as they forced him back to the daily sessions.
“He said the incident changed his perception towards Mackenzie and his church forcing him to abandon the daily bible studies sessions.”
“He said one early morning his mother arrived home with a man who tied his hands from the back and returned him to the bible studies,” ODPP reported.
The minor claimed that upon his arrival, an accused person before the court and Mackenzie’s brother whipped him thoroughly for absconding from the studies.
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GNI Classes
According to the teen, there were over 70 children, whose parents enrolled them at the GNI church bible studies classes.
During the classes, they were taught to abhor education, medication and other worldly affairs with children guided to memorize bible verses for references.
In his submission, the witness read some of the verses he had memorized, in a courtroom parked with Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu and 92 others charged with 283 counts of manslaughter.
He testified how one of the accused persons, Evans Kolombe Sirya allegedly coached children and made them lie to a Malindi magistrate court in a case against Mackenzie.
Eventually, the minor’s mother relocated to Shakahola forest alongside Mackenzie’s other followers and died after several days of deadly fasting.
Thereafter, the court heard that her remains are yet to be found and DNA analysis is yet to match to any of 429 bodies recovered from shallow graves.
Additionally, the minor said that his mother made three trips between their Malindi home and Shakahola forest despite members of families advising her against taking the decision.
The ODPP mentioned that further hearing of the case will continue from 9-12 September 2024.
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