CS Kindiki Declares Pastor Mackenzie's Church Organized Criminal Group

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declared the Good News International Ministries church an organized criminal group.

CS Kindiki made the declaration against the church which is linked to controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie through a gazette notice on Wednesday, January 31 

‘’In exercise of the powers conferred by section 22 (1) of the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 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,’’ read the notice.

Mackenzie was arrested in April 2022 after telling his followers to fast to death to meet Jesus. 

This led to the deaths of over 429 people whose bodies were discovered in shallow graves in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County. 

On January 16, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga directed the prosecution of Mackenzie and 94 other accomplices over the Shakahola massacre. 

The DPP noted that there is sufficient evidence implicating the Shakahola massacre suspects.

The 95 are facing charges of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code, manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code, and assault causing bodily harm contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.

Other charges include engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and being in possession of an article connected with an offense that is contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010.

The suspects are also being charged with subjecting a child to torture, cruelty to a child, and infringing a child's right to education.