Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused persons have begun their defence in the terrorism-related case linked to the Shakahola tragedy, with four accused persons taking the stand before Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma.

The defence hearing follows a court ruling that Mackenzie and 95 co-accused have a case to answer over allegations of organised crime and radicalisation connected to the deaths of more than 450 followers in Shakahola forest.

Defence lawyers indicated that 19 witnesses are expected to testify in support of the accused.

During the proceedings, four accused persons testified, giving accounts of their association with Paul Mackenzie and the Good News International Church.

One of the witnesses, Alice Kawira, told the court she was a “Mteule” and had purchased land in Shakahola for KSh 1,500 after relocating from Mombasa, where she previously ran a business.

She said she later sold her house for KSh 380,000 before moving to Shakahola permanently. Kawira also stated she did not believe in taking children to school or hospital, adding that her six-year-old child later died following an accident.

Another witness, Lucas Owino Ogola, testified that he previously attended the Good News International Church in Nairobi before its closure in 2019 and identified Mackenzie as the church leader.

He said he later travelled to Shakahola after what he described as a spiritual experience, adding that he initially believed he was going to “Samaria.” He also told the court he had never heard Mackenzie instruct followers to starve themselves.

The witness further narrated incidents of assault in Shakahola after disagreements with others and told the court he has never married or had children.

The court heard that the prosecution had previously relied on 96 witnesses and nearly 500 exhibits, which it said were sufficient to require the accused to enter their defence.