By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Kenya, William Ruto on Monday ordered the prosecution of Pastor, Paul Mackenzie, the leader of a Kilifi cult who ordered his followers to fast till they die of starvation so that they could see Jesus.
Ruto described Mackenzie as a “criminal and a terrorist” who used religion as a tool propagate unacceptable ideologies.
The President therefore directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to conduct a thorough investigation into other churches running on similar ideologies that are unacceptable.
“What we are seeing in Kilifi, in Shakahola is akin to terrorism. There is no difference between Mr. Mackenzie who pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal,” said President Ruto.
The Kenyan leader who spoke during the passing-out parade of prison officers’ cadet also noted that Mackenzie was using religion to advance heinous acts just as terrorists do.
“I have instructed the agencies responsible to take up the matter and to get to the root cause and the bottom of activities by people who want to use religion to advance weird, unacceptable ideologies to the Republic of Kenya, that is causing unnecessary loss of life,” the President said further.
“Let me say that any religious group that teaches against the tenets of the Constitution, any religious institution that teaches against seeking medical attention or going to school, those responsible should be prosecuted,” he added.
15 members of Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Church were last week exhumed from a shallow grave in the church premises.
Police on Monday exhumed more bodies from the church located in Kilifi’s Shakahola Forest.
The country’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure has declared Shikahola Forest a crime scene.
Pastor Mackenzie currently in custody following his arrest on the 15th of April, 2023 is expected to appear in court in coming days.
