Shanzu Law Courts on Thursday heard testimony from Dr. Rev. Stephen Anyenda, a bishop and a theologian, who was called to give expert evidence on biblical interpretation in the Shakahola massacre case.
Dr. Anyenda told Principal Magistrate Leah Juma that theology is the study of God and His creation, emphasizing that there is only one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
He explained that in Christian teaching, religious leaders are considered shepherds, tasked with guiding their flock by interpreting scripture on behalf of God.
The bishop said he had been requested by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to prepare a report on the interpretation of the Bible on various issues. In his testimony, he stated that shepherds are supposed to read and interpret scripture for their congregants but are prohibited from inserting their personal ideas into the Bible but instead allow scripture to inspire their teachings.
Dr. Anyenda further told the court that education is consistent with biblical teachings, describing it as part of God’s plan to instill morals, values, and ethics. He quoted scriptures, including Ecclesiastes 7:12, Proverbs 22:6, and Luke 6:40, to support his position that the Bible encourages learning.
He added that there is no verse in the Bible that prohibits education, noting that learning is a holistic process that begins after birth.
On the subject of medicine, the bishop testified that it is not a sin to seek treatment, stating that from Genesis to Revelation the use of herbs and medicine is evident.
The testimony formed part of the ongoing hearings in which the court is receiving expert evidence to clarify religious interpretations said to have influenced followers in the Shakahola case.
Other witnesses who testified included former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Lango Mbaya Police Station, Malindi, Chief Inspector Amara Hassan.
He presented before the court the reports made by the residents of Shakahola Forest and Shakahola Madukani.
He said that he received reports alleging that children were being abandoned and starved to death in Shakahola village.
He indicated that he participated in a rescue mission where he reported that some of the people rescued were too weak to walk on their own, while others died on the way to Malindi Hospital.
A protected witness, identified as JCK, testified in court about the heartbreaking loss of her brother, who died after the failure by the mother to take him to the hospital after a head injury after subscribing to the teaching by Good News International Ministry of not taking people to the hospital.
The witness was also withdrawn from school as the mother alleged that it was against the Bible teachings of Colossians 2.8.
According to the witness, in Shakahola, there were no schools despite there being children residing there with their parents.
She reported that there were meetings happening in Judea, part of Shakahola, under Mitola trees.
The residents would carry sacks to sit on, with the leaders sitting on chairs.
These leaders had different responsibilities, such as reading the Bible, allies to Mackenzie, being messengers, and investigators/interrogators.
She told the court that Mackenzie urged followers to sell their possessions and cut ties with wamataifa (earthly people).
She added that Mackenzie directed them to fast to death so that they could see God starting with children, youth, women, and later men.
She recounted how many children died out of fasting to death.
The witness was also forced to fast, but after realizing that children had started dying, he started taking water secretly.
She could not escape from Shakahola because there were people who were tasked to prevent people from leaving the forest. These people included Morris, Musa, Alex wa Galilaya, Paul, and Mwamburi.
After police officers started coming to Shakahola for rescue and arrest, she recounted how Pastor Mackenzie advised them to move into the forest and hide.
