A police witness has testified about what the officers found inside a compound in Kwa Binzaro after they went there following reports of alleged radicalisation and starvation of followers.

The witness told Senior Principal Magistrate Mwanamkuu Sudi that police visited the premises in Binzaro area of Makongeni Sub-location, Chakama Location, Malindi, on July 18, 2025, after receiving information that followers were allegedly being radicalised and subjected to starvation under the guise of prolonged fasting.

The court heard that the officers found the compound enclosed with barbed wire and thorny shrubs, with the gate locked from inside.

The occupant allegedly told the officers that the keys to the gate had been misplaced, forcing the police to gain entry into the compound.

The witness testified that the premises were deserted when officers entered and searched the compound.

"Officers recovered a blue motorcycle, a blue bicycle, a wheelbarrow and assorted clothes from several houses," a statement by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said.

The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case against eight accused persons facing charges relating to alleged radicalisation and the deaths of 52 people in the Kwa Binzaro case.

The DPP said five prosecution witnesses testified during the latest proceedings, with their evidence touching on alleged religious teachings, disappearances and the activities of followers in Malindi.

The court also heard from a witness whose son allegedly disappeared after a group visited their home for religious preaching in February 2025.

The DPP said the group comprised five people, including a woman and four men.

One of the visitors allegedly encouraged children to “go to Jesus” and claimed to have sacrificed children to Jesus.

The group allegedly encouraged followers to go into the wilderness in Malindi, pray to death and go to heaven.

"The visitors also allegedly preached against education, seeking medical treatment and attending churches," the statement said.

Weeks later, the witness’s son and two other people allegedly disappeared for about three days.

In March 2025, the son, his wife, his brother-in-law and the brother-in-law’s 10-year-old son reportedly disappeared after their phones were switched off. The family later learnt that they had travelled to Malindi.

The prosecution also presented evidence concerning another family whose members allegedly disappeared after following similar teachings.

According to the DPP, a witness told the court that a man had withdrawn his children from school and resigned from his job allegedly because of teachings discouraging formal education and warning that the world was approaching its end.

Another witness testified about his father’s alleged adherence to teachings associated with controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.

The court heard that the man believed the Government was the “beast” referred to in the Book of Revelation.

The witness said the family lost contact with the man, his wife and their four children in April 2025.

In June, an unidentified caller allegedly contacted the witness, asked whether he was the son of the missing man and then said, “pole wametuacha” before ending the call.

The DPP said the testimonies form part of the wider prosecution case involving alleged radicalisation, disappearances and deaths linked to the Kwa Binzaro investigations.

The matter will be mentioned on October 15, 2026.