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Freeze Mackenzie assets, compensate victims' families – Senators

The probe team wants most severe punishment for those found liable for Shakahola deaths.

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by EMMANUEL WANJALA

News20 October 2023 - 16:54

In Summary


  • • The committee tabled it's report in Parliament on Thursday upon conclusion of investigations in the Shakahola massacre in which it said 429 people died.
  • • Investigations have since established that Mackenzie used doomsday teachings to brainwash his followers to starve to death in order to meet Jesus.
Rhoda Maweu and her husband controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie during a court session at Shanzu Law Courts on May 10, 2023.

The committee that was investigating the deaths that occurred at the Shakahola forest has recommended a freeze on pastor Paul Mackenzie's assets.

The recommendation is among many made by the Senate ad-hoc Committee led by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana.

The committee tabled it's report in Parliament on Thursday upon conclusion of investigations in the Shakahola massacres which it said resulted in the deaths of 429 people. 

"The Director of Criminal Investigations and the Director of Public Prosecutions initiates the process of freezing the assets belonging to Paul Mackenzie and any of his associates and the proceeds be used to compensate the families of deceased victims," the report reads in part.

The team also wants the Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to declare Mackenzie's Good News International Ministries and Good News Media organised criminal organizations and shut down within days of adoption of this report by the Senate.

The probe team further wants all the shareholders, officials, directors and any associates linked to the entities to be "prosecuted and upon conviction be liable to the most severe punishment available in law".

Mackenzie and 27 co-accused persons have been in police custody since April.

The horrific happenings at the Shakahola forest were brought to public's attention after tens of shallow graves were discovered at the expansive forest within Kilifi County.

Investigations have since established that Mackenzie used doomsday teachings to brainwash his followers to starve to death in order to meet Jesus.

In it's report, the committee said there is reason to believe the teachings were influenced by 'A Voice in the Desert', an Australian sect advancing doomsday gospel.

The committee said the DCI should investigate Good News International Ministries and Good News Media (K) Limited with a view to establishing their cash flows, foreign links, assets and possibility of money laundering.

Among other recommendations the team made including declaring Good News International Ministries a dangerous society, an organised criminal organization and for the Registrar of Societies to deregister it alongside Good News Media (K) Limited.

"The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration should facilitate the survivors to regain their vital documents such as National Identity Cards, Birth Certificates, Title Deeds, Academic Certificates and Marriage Certificates which were destroyed as a result of the indoctrination," the team said.

Meanwhile, senators want the government to be involved in regulating operations of all the faith-based organisations and have already recommended a bill to guide the process.

The Religious Organisations Bill, 2023, seeks to provide the legislative framework for registrations, regulation and compliance to the regulations by the faith-based organisations.


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