- Nthenge surrendered to the police on Friday.
- This will be the second time in less than a month that Nthenge is being arraigned for misleading followers, who eventually die from starvation.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
The controversial Malindi pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, who is accused of misleading followers to fast to death, is expected to be arraigned on Monday.
This comes as Kilifi political, religious leaders and senior government officials have condemned the controversial preacher’s teachings, with some wanting him sentenced for life. They say many lives have been lost due to his misleading teachings.
Nthenge surrendered to the police on Friday.
This will be the second time in less than a month that Nthenge is being arraigned for misleading followers, who eventually die from starvation.
At least six people—three men, one woman and two minors—have reportedly died from fasting for days.
Police are also expected to arraign seven congregants, who have also been discharged from the hospital.
Currently, Mackenzie of Good news International Ministries, is being held at the Malindi Police station with seven others and is expected to be charged with misleading followers to fast to death.
Last month, the controversial preacher was not charged after an application by police to have him detained for 14 days was rejected by the court, that directed him be released on a Sh10,000 police bond.
He however got into trouble with the state again after four people died while 11 others were rescued during an operation conducted by the DCI Malindi in conjunction with other security personnel from Malindi subcounty. They got intelligence that there were followers starving to death in order to go to heaven.
Reports indicate the government pathologist will be in Malindi Monday and will accompany the DCI to exhume two bodies of minors buried after starving to death in Shakahola last month.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro while condemning the pastor’s teachings said the county pathologist who was on maternity leave, has been recalled and will be back to do a postmortem on the four bodies.
In an interview, he said if it is established that indeed the four died of starvation, then the pastor will be held responsible for the deaths.
“Pastor Mackenzie has been arrested and released many times, one of the reason the court said is that there was no evidence to show the people died of starvation, now we have laid out strategies as a county. On Monday, the county pathologist will be back to do the postmortem,” he said.
Mung’aro said if it is proved that the congregants died as a result of starvation, Mackenzie should be locked for life because he has killed many people as there are some more bodies being sought.
Gender, Public Service and Affirmative Action Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa said Mackenzie caused trouble in 2019 and 2020.
She said it's sad that he has resurfaced and contributed to loss of lives of nearly 30 people due to his teachings.
“Let him remain in police custody for his safety, when Mackenzie is released, his safety is not guaranteed,” she said.
Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi while condemning the pastor’s teachings also called on residents not to be lured into such cultic teachings.
Malindi subcounty security committee led by Malindi Assistant County Commissioner 1 Angela Wanyama toured Shakahola with a view to get information about the pastor’s teachings.
“We want to make sure that the evil teachings that are being spread here are completely finished,” she said.
She called on the followers of Mackenzie and residents of Shakahola to help police with information as investigations continue so as to resolve the matter with speed.
Wanyama said the pastor was preaching against going to school, hospital and other ungodly issues which she said is radicalisation.
On Saturday Malindi subcounty Criminal investigation Officer Charles Kamau confirmed that the pastor had surrendered after learning that detectives were looking for him.
Detectives together with joint security personnel conducted an operation in Shakahola where it is believed there is a mass shallow grave with over 31 people who also reportedly starved to death.
During the operation, four more people were rescued from their fasting and taken to the Malindi Subcounty Hospital where 11 others were rushed to Thursday.
Adu MCA Samson Zia condemned the pastor’s teachings and called on members of the public to be careful about the churches they join.
Zia said they do not want to see the pastor again in Shakahola as he was causing more harm than good due to his cultic teachings.
“Mackenzie should move out, I do not want him here any more,” said the MCA.
Pastors in Malindi have already distanced themselves from the preacher, saying his teachings were not backed by the Bible.
The pastors led by the chairman of the Malindi Pastors Fellowship, Pastor Daniel Hosea Otieno and a member of the Malindi House of Bishops, Bishop James Njehia, called on the government to take action against the pastor as an individual since he (Mackenzie) was a lone ranger.
Pastor Otieno called on Christians to read the Bible for themselves and question the faith of the church they intend to join to avoid being indoctrinated.