Controversial preacher Paul Makenzi (left) at the Mombasa Law Courts in Mombasa County on Wednesday 5th March 2025. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]
Controversial pastor Paul Makenzi did not buy the land in the Shakahola Forest as earlier alleged, a witness has told the Mombasa High Court.
According to 75-year-old Charo Katana, Makenzi paid Sh100,000 goodwill, popularly known as ‘Kanjama’ in the Mijikenda community, to occupy the land.
Katana said he received Sh1,500 of the Sh100,000 paid to his brother Salim Mwaro. He refuted claims that Makenzi bought the land the state says turned into killing fields.
Mzee Katana told Justice Diana Mochache that he was invited for a meeting between his brother and Makenzi over the land and negotiations for the ‘Kanjama’, and after they reached an agreement, Makenzi gave Mwaro Sh100,000.
Later, his brother only gave him Sh1,500.
Katana was testifying in a matter where Makenzi and 19 others are facing 191 counts of murder.
Chakama location chief Raymond Msinda, another witness, told the High Court that he was informed of some visitors being seen at Shakahola.
The chief told the court that during his first meeting to welcome his Assistant County Commissioner, one of the residents confirmed the presence of some unknown people seen fetching water around.
“Peterson Hiha stood during the meeting and claimed that there were visitors fetching water at River Galana but stayed in the forest and were under Pastor Makenzi. I personally had never seen Makenzi. My ACC, as the chairperson of the meeting, ordered me to do a follow-up and know the intentions of the said visitors,” the chief told Justice Mochache.
The chief said that during a meeting with Makenzi, the preacher claimed that he had closed his Furunzi church in Malindi due to some issues that had led to his licences being cancelled.
The matter will be mentioned on Friday for a ruling on whether Enos Amanya should testify after he entered into a pre-bargain agreement with the prosecution.