By Riches Soberekon
Kenyan authorities have taken action against five churches, including one led by a pastor who allegedly encouraged over 400 followers to fast to the point of death.
The license of Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s Good News International Church was revoked on May 19 due to his shocking case of urging followers to fast until death to “meet Jesus.”
This incident caused distress when corpses were discovered in the Shakahola forest near the coastal town of Malindi. So far, 425 bodies have been found, with most victims dying from starvation.
Autopsies revealed that some victims, including children, were subjected to strangulation, beatings, or suffocation.
In addition to Pastor Mackenzie’s church, four other churches, including the New Life Prayer Centre and Church led by televangelist Ezekiel Odero, have been banned. Odero is currently under investigation for charges including murder, aiding suicide, radicalization, and money laundering.
Odero’s arrest in April was prompted by the discovery of human remains in the Shakahola forest, and he was released on bail in May. Mackenzie’s detention has been extended pending further investigation.
Kenya is grappling with the issue of uncontrolled proliferation of churches led by unscrupulous leaders engaging in criminal activities. The government has faced opposition in attempts to regulate these movements, citing concerns about constitutional guarantees regarding the separation of church and state.
