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Friday, August 18, 2023 -Government has today Friday August 18, de-registed a total of five churches in the country.
Registrar of Societies under Maria Nyariki canceled the registration of Ezekiel Odero’s Newlife Prayer Centre and Church located in Kilifi and parts of the country.
The Odero’s multimillion prayer center has been in constant controversy with the authorities which linked the owner to death cases in Shakahola and other crimes.
It was also recently at the center of a money laundering and cult accusations.
The five whose registration have since been revoked by the religious regulator include Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s church – Goodnews International Ministry – also located in Kilifi County.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 12 (1) of the Societies Act, the Registrar of Societies cancels the registration of the societies specified in the first column of the Schedule, with effect from the respective dates specified in the third column of the Schedule,” Registrar of Societies Maria Nyariki.
This move being part of the intensified crackdown on questionable religious institutions that continues to crop up in many parts of the country.
Other churches de-registered include Helicopter of Christ Church, Theophilus Church, and Kings Outreach Church.
About three prominent pastors have, of late, been dragged to court following investigations that established their involvement in cultist and life threatening activities.
Ezekiel, Paul Mackenzie and Yesu wa Tongaren were the first victims in the crackdown that also attracted the attention of foreign media.
Recently, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Prof Kithure Kindiki promised to tighten the noose around rogue pastors. This being part of his efforts to weed out those hiding in churches to commit crimes and other illegal activities like money laundering.
The CS further promised to make sure Pastor Mackenzie remains behind bars the rest of his life so that to serve as a lesson with others who may have similar intentions.
“He should live long so that he can see what we can do. If courts free him, I promise I will take him back,” Kindiki stated.
But in a rejoinder weeks later, Mackenzie, instead, lamented that the State was keen on frustrating him not to access justice.
Angered, according to a local media, he asked the police to strangle him and throw away his body into River Yala.
Mackenzie and his accomplices are still held in police cells in Shanzu.
