Kithure Kindiki declares controversial Paul Mackenzie’s church a criminal group

Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kithure Kindiki has declared Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s church, Good News International Ministries, a criminal group.

In a gazette notice signed by Kindiki and posted on the ministry’s X (formerly Twitter) account, Kindiki termed Mackenzie’s church as a criminal organization.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Good News International Ministries to be an organized criminal group for the purposes of the Act,” the notice read.

Mackenzie’s church has been categorized as a criminal group according to Section 22 (1) of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act.

What activities have led to Mackenzie’s Church being classified as a criminal group? 

Good News International Ministries Church led by self-proclaimed Pastor Paul Mackenzie has been in the headlines since the beginning of 2023 following the discovery of bodies buried in Shakahola forest, where the preacher’s church was based.

Mackenzie convinced his followers, including women and children, to starve to death so they could go to heaven.

The media exposed the preacher’s acts which led to forensic officers digging up graves in the forest, finding over 400 bodies, some too decomposed to be identified.

The incident saw the national government, led by Interior CS Kindiki, take over the investigations into the misleading acts of Mackenzie that led to families losing loved ones to his misguided beliefs.

The controversial preacher was arrested in April 2023 following a manhunt that saw him surrender to the authorities.

“We have the pastor in custody after he surrendered because he knew we were looking for him, ” DCI Chief for Malindi  Sub-County , Charles Kamau said.

A rescue team was sent to Shakahola to help followers who were starving themselves to death, but some had to be forced out of the forest as they were adamant that they wanted to die so they could meet Jesus.

On January 24, 2023, Mackenzie was charged with 238 counts of manslaughter alongside other 93 suspects and his wife Rhoda Maweu at the Mombasa Law Courts, nearly nine months in detention at the Shimo la Tewa remand prison.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges that allegedly took place in Shakahola between 2019 and 2023.