Emotional Testimonies Rock Court as Families Describe Mysterious Disappearances in Kwa Binzaro Murder Trial
The ongoing Kwa Binzaro murder trial involving controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie took an emotional turn after grieving families broke down in court while recounting the mysterious disappearance of their loved ones in what prosecutors believe could be a continuation of the deadly Shakahola tragedy. The case, being heard before Lady Justice Wendi Micheni, involves Mackenzie, Shirlyne Temba and six other accused persons linked to alleged killings and disappearances connected to Kwa Binzaro and Shakahola. Throughout the proceedings, relatives narrated painful stories of family members who vanished suddenly, leaving behind unanswered questions, trauma and uncertainty that continues haunting families months later. One of the witnesses, 19-year-old Bonface Ouma Ochieng, told the court how his father, Pastor David Ochieng Otieno, informed the family in March 2025 that he had allegedly secured a glass-fitting job in Nigeria before planning to proceed to South Africa. According to Bonface, his father summoned him from Nairobi back to their rural home in Busia County where he strangely handed him important family documents including land title deeds and mutation papers, instructing him to keep them safely “in case of anything.” Shortly afterward, Bonface told the court, his father, mother and four siblings disappeared completely under mysterious circumstances. The witness emotionally narrated how he later reported the disappearances to police and even provided DNA samples in hopes of helping investigators identify bodies or trace his missing relatives. Another heartbreaking testimony came from 70-year-old Beatrice Agola Adum, who recounted the disappearance of her daughter Alice Achieng together with several children. The elderly woman told the court that Alice had been living with her in Andingo Debe Village alongside her children and another child belonging to a relative before suddenly disappearing. Beatrice said she has never seen or heard from her daughter and the children again. The court also heard that another missing child, identified as 12-year-old Kelly, vanished under similarly disturbing circumstances. In another chilling testimony, Simon Chea Bikazuri narrated how his wife Neema disappeared in April 2025 together with six children and one grandchild, none of whom have ever been traced. Simon further revealed that Neema was related to Janet Mwatete, an accused person in the Shakahola manslaughter case who had reportedly disappeared earlier with four children, two of whom were later identified and buried. He also alleged that at the time of the disappearance, Neema was in the company of individuals already linked to the Shakahola manslaughter investigations. The emotional testimonies painted what prosecutors described as a disturbing pattern suggesting the alleged atrocities connected to Kwa Binzaro may have extended beyond the original Shakahola investigations that shocked the nation. Several witnesses broke down in tears inside the courtroom as they pleaded with authorities to accelerate DNA identification processes and help families recover the remains of their loved ones for dignified burials. The case continues attracting national attention as one of Kenya’s most disturbing criminal investigations involving allegations of radicalization, disappearances and deaths linked to religious extremism. The High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter between June 22 and June 26, 2026, with proceedings also scheduled to take place directly at the alleged crime scenes in Malindi, Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro.
Ladun Liadi -
