Paul Mackenzie, the primary suspect in the Shakahola massacre, once warned his followers that registering for Huduma Number was a satanic act, claiming it symbolized the “mark of the beast” mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.

On Wednesday, a former follower of Mackenzie, who has now become a state witness, provided testimony in the Chief Magistrate Court in Mombasa.

The witness recounted how his family, originally Muslim, converted to Christianity under Mackenzie’s influence. He detailed how his father, once an alcoholic, became a devout adherent of Mackenzie’s teachings, which were broadcast on Times TV in 2019. This religious shift eventually led the entire family to join Mackenzie’s church.

According to the witness, his mother closed her salon after Mackenzie condemned women’s use of beauty products and braiding their hair. The witness also revealed that when the government introduced Huduma Number registration, Mackenzie warned against it, asserting that the microchip in the Huduma card was a sign of the beast.

Following Mackenzie’s guidance, the witness’s father sold all their household belongings, and the family relocated to Mackenzie’s church in Furunzi, Malindi. They were then escorted by a church member to Shakahola.

The witness described his life there as a cycle of hunting, sleeping, and Bible reading, until Mackenzie announced a shift from Bible teachings to being led solely by the Holy Spirit. He instructed his followers to fast and pray in isolation, awaiting Jesus’ return.

Unable to endure the harsh conditions any longer, the witness fled through the dense forest to avoid capture by Mackenzie’s followers. He eventually found refuge with a kind-hearted individual who offered him a job at a hardware store in Shakahola madukani. He was later rescued by a children’s officer and taken to the Malindi Children Center.

In closing, the witness expressed concern about his father’s fate, who remained in Shakahola working as a gravedigger.