A Shakahola massacre court witness’s account that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie allegedly transformed into a snake and bit her husband has sparked a wave of reactions online.
As reported by Citizen Digital, the witness identified as LA, made the claims on Thursday, August 6, while testifying at the Shanzu Law Courts in the case against Mackenzie and 95 others.
Witness Details Chilling Claims of Supernatural Events and Tragedy
According to the witness, Mackenzie allegedly visited their homestead and transformed into a snake before biting her husband. She also told the court that Mackenzie persuaded her family to return to the Shakahola forest to fast to death in anticipation of meeting Jesus.
The witness said Mackenzie claimed to possess the souls of followers who had already fasted to death and convinced them that his teachings would lead them to salvation.
LA further recounted how she initially belonged to the Voice of Salvation Church before joining Mackenzie’s Good News International Ministries. She later relocated to Shakahola with her family, where she said she followed his teachings, resulting in the deaths of her six children.
She also told the court that Mackenzie discouraged formal education, employment and medical treatment, allegedly teaching his followers that hospitals represented evil. Followers were also reportedly instructed to destroy their identification documents, with Huduma Namba described as “the mark of the beast.”
Netizens React with Disbelief and Humour to Court Claims
The testimony quickly caught the attention of social media users, many of whom reacted with disbelief and humour.
One user, @joy_mali, wrote: “Sinduna has grown up😂😂”, while @boaz_jr simply reacted with “😂😂😂”.
Another user, @kinarawapambastore, commented: “Hii nayo ni jaba😂😂😂”, while @usajih and @riziki00 responded with laughing emojis.
@mwehndwer also dismissed the account, writing: “Hii nayo ni jaba😂😂😂”, @mwiruqah._ also responded with laughter, disbelief and expressions of shock.
Some users referenced the supernatural claim directly. @laodhiamboadvocates joked: “Siageuke nyoka saa hii atoke jela. 😂😂”
Similarly, @lind aomukala reacted with “🙊🙊🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”, while @zacky_x0 wrote: “😂😂😂😂😂waaaai waaaai nalia mazee”.
@i_am_stephen_watulo joked: “Ako Jaba wewe unapangiwa Hadi line....😂”, while @dicksonouma5 said: “Hii ni jaba sasa....”
Another commenter, @joshlewi794, wrote: “Ata kama ni mkamba mmezidi sasa😂”, while @sallyemma2022 reacted: “Kasheshe 😂🤣”.
Social Media Questioning the Logic Behind the Snake Testimony
Others questioned the account more directly. @andrewkahemba wrote: “😂😂 hii ni uongoooooooooooooooo”, while @alchemk commented: “Let him transform into a snake and leave that place he has the solution why wait for the rulings? 🙌”
@luciahmwai similarly joked: “Angekua nyoka hangekaa jela”, while @mutai_milton asked: “Na si atransform kwa cell na atoke”.
One user, @kimange_e, took a different position, writing: “Hamuezi kuwa africans na mnasema uongo🤣🤣🤣ile uchawi iko hii continent, huyu msee mnadhani alikuwa anaconvince aje watu wajilaze,, ni mchawi mkubwa huyu”
Another commenter, @blackadmiral_, quoted scripture, writing: “My people perish due to lack of knowledge…yada yada yada!!!! …Hosea 4:6”
@usajih said: “Another reason for me to say i left church not God 💯🙌🏼”, while @book.den observed: “The things we see and hear in this country is shocking”.
Other reactions included @its_darkblack, who wrote: “..kaa pastor McKenzie na dinii”, while @upuuzi mtupu commented: “Upuuzi mtupu😂”.
Meanwhile, @evan_van_ praised Mackenzie’s legal team, saying: “Mackenzie lawayer is a genius 👏”.
Gravitas of the Shakahola Massacre Legal Proceedings
Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his co-accused face multiple charges linked to allegations surrounding the activities of his Good News International Church and the deaths of his followers. The charges include terrorism, murder, radicalisation, child cruelty and offences under Kenya’s Basic Education Act.
Prosecutors allege that Mackenzie and his associates subjected followers, including children, to extreme religious teachings, encouraged prolonged fasting and discouraged access to education, healthcare and other public services.
