Controversial Preacher Paul Mackenzie protected a man who raped a minor, 10 years ago, ensuring that the affected family never saw justice.
This is according to a 17-year old boy, whose younger sister was the victim. The boy was 10 years old when the incident happened.
The teenager told the court that Mackenzie and his fellow Pastor George Mwaura ensured that their mother doesn’t report the case at Malindi Police station. The perpetrator was the husband of a female pastor at Mackenzie’s Good News International Church.
The two pastors convinced the boy’s mother that they would deal with the perpetrator in church but covered up the matter.
Following the injustice on his sister, the boy resolved to abscond daily mandatory Bible studies at the Good New International Church.
His mother, together with another man however punished him severely, forcing him back to church.
“The minor testified that upon his return, Mackenzie’s brother and an accused person whipped him thoroughly for missing the studies,” Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) said in a statement before the court.
In his statement, the teenager testified that children were encouraged to reject education, medication and other things deemed worldly. They were asked to memorize bible verses for reference on the same.
He was able to share some of the memory verses that they were taught.
He further told the court that one of Makenzie’s co-accused, Evans Kolombe Sirya instructed children to lie to the court.
“Sirya would transport the minors in his tuktuk to the court and coach them on how to testify, threatening them with divine retribution if they told the truth,” the boy stated.
The witness’ mother is said to have relocated to Shakahola with other believers and died after a few days of fasting. His sister on the other hand eloped with a man and got married at a very young age.
The hearing of the case will continue on September 9.
