The Methodist Church in Kilifi has commended the government for forming a commission of inquiry to investigate deaths linked to Good News International church preacher Paul Mackenzie in the Shakahola forest.
Davis Matano, who is the presiding bishop of the church in Kilifi called on the government to make public the findings of the inquiry once ready.
“As a church, we are in full support of this team the government has formed. Our appeal is that the findings will be made public so that measures can be put in place to avoid a repeat of the situation. We have seen so many inquiries whose reports are not made public,” he said.
Matano further urged Christians to be wary of preachers and churches that manipulate the word of God to suit their interests.
“The government should regulate churches. We need to have sanity in our churches. If we are unable to regulate ourselves then let the government do it,” he added.
Some members of the church criticised Mackenzi saying it is against the teachings of the Christianity to encourage people to take their own life.
Led by Mothers Union chairperson Rachael Mwarumba and Zablon Gambo, they encouraged residents to be careful with their preachers.
“We have preachers who deceive their followers because of their own agenda. Let’s read the holy scriptures and interrogate these preachers,” she said.
Mackenzie and 17 others were arraigned in a Shanzu court on Friday
Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu and the others are facing serious crimes of murder, counselling and aiding persons to kill themselves, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering.
The preacher of Good News International Church, which was allegedly closed in 2019, is being investigated for the deaths of over 100 people believed to be his followers who starved to death and were buried in shallow mass graves at Shakahola in Magarini, Kilifi county
