Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), has proposed that controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church in Malindi be charged with terrorism and genocide for his controversial doctrinal beliefs, which caused his followers to fast till death.
The CS made the remarks while touring Shakahola woodland on Tuesday to assess the situation as the operation to exhume Mackenzie's 'brainwashed' followers entered its fifth day.
Mackenzie's followers are believed to have followed his teachings with the expectation of meeting God.'
Mackenzie's actions, according to Kindiki, amount to genocide, and the priest should be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to answer for his atrocities.
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According to the CS, he might face genocide charges at the ICC. We are also looking for his known associates.
Kindiki also advocated for a collaborative approach to preserving the lives of people whom Mackenzie's extremist religious teaching may have impacted.
He further stated that as of today, the rescue had been scaled up, and personnel had been increased. All agencies will be involved in a multi-agency search and rescue operation, which will be led by security.
He added that they intend to tighten the laws that govern religious organizations. Any preacher who preaches a message that violates the Kenyan Constitution or engages in criminal behaviour must be stopped. Accountability is required.
By the time this article was published, 16 further remains had been exhumed, bringing the death toll to 89, while three persons had also been saved.
This report comes when the pastor's family have come out to defend him. According to his younger brother, Robert Mackenzie, who talked exclusively to Citizen TV, Paul stopped preaching in 2019 and resumed farming, and hence is not responsible for the Shakahola fatalities.
According to Robert, Mackenzie began his career as a cab driver in Malindi, where he worked for a few years before getting his spiritual calling.
