How Pastor Mackenzie met and fell in love with his third wife, Rhoda Muweu

Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie’s third wife, Rhoda Muweu, was once a congregant in his church before becoming his spouse, according to a court witness.

A 17-year-old witness testified before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku, stating that he knew Muweu as the woman who brought his sister to the church for prayers when she was sick. He further explained that Muweu was initially recognized as just another congregant until news spread that she had married Mackenzie.

"It was after some time that we started hearing she was now the pastor’s wife. Since then, we began recognizing her as his spouse," the witness said.

Rhoda Muweu is among the 94 individuals charged with 238 counts of manslaughter at the Mombasa Law Courts, in connection with the case against Mackenzie. The preacher, who had two previous wives who died and were buried at his Malindi residence, continues to face numerous allegations.

The witness further recounted how his mother, after a long illness, credited Mackenzie’s prayers with her recovery. She subsequently forced her children to convert from Islam to Christianity, despite opposition from their father.

“My younger sister and I were told by my mother that we were going to become Christians, but my father was against it. However, my mother was the decision-maker in our home, and we had no choice but to follow her decision,” the witness said.

He also shared that his mother disappeared from their home twice, only to return. However, after vanishing a third time, she never came back.

“After her second disappearance, we realized she had been attending Mackenzi’s church because when she returned, she was emaciated. That’s when we understood where she was going,” he said.

Following her third disappearance, the witness said he started searching for his mother, only to be informed by a church congregant that she had died.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on September 9, 2024.