Woman tells court pastor MACKENZIE ‘transformed into snake and bit her husband’ in Shakahola horror trial - Six of her children died during prolonged fasting rituals.

Friday, August 07, 2026 - In a chilling testimony at the Shanzu Law Courts on Thursday, August 6, a witness painted a disturbing picture of the practices tied to Shakahola massacre suspect pastor Paul Mackenzie.

Identified as LA, the witness claimed Mackenzie once appeared at her homestead, allegedly transforming into a snake and biting her husband, a moment she described as part of the pastor’s extreme spiritual theatrics.

Presiding Senior Principal Magistrate Mwanamkuu heard how Mackenzie lured families into abandoning ordinary life for his radical path.

LA recounted how he persuaded her husband to return to the forest to fast “unto death” in anticipation of meeting Jesus.

According to the witness, Mackenzie insisted he held the souls of those who had already perished, promising salvation through obedience to his teachings.

The witness revealed her journey from the Voice of Salvation Church to Good News International Ministries, where she embraced Mackenzie’s doctrine.

Tragically, her devotion led her family to Shakahola, where six of her children died during prolonged fasting rituals.

She detailed Mackenzie’s rejection of modern life, such as schools and jobs, which were branded as the devil’s work, and hospitals condemned as evil because of the serpent symbol on medical crosses.

Followers were urged to burn identity cards and birth certificates, with Huduma Namba dismissed as “the mark of the beast.”

Mackenzie and 95 co-accused now face charges ranging from terrorism and radicalisation to child cruelty and murder, a case that continues to expose the devastating impact of extremist religious doctrines.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.