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Monday, April 24, 2023 –Controversial Coastal pastor Paul Mackenzie moved to Shakahola in 2022 after he differed with a nearby school in Migingo Village in Malindi, Kilifi County.
A resident who knows the pastor well has lifted the lid on the killer pastor saying the pastor’s main aim was to convert as many villagers as possible around their Migingo area.
He became a friend to as many children as possible who he started teaching how to fast before attracting adults who also started flocking his church by the name Good News International.
And on moving to Shakohola, Katana says, he moved with many Migingo villagers and continued converting other believers around his new location.
“His followers began following him one by one. It was not only children who fasted, even adults were at his every beck and call. A lot of marriages dissolved because of the pastor.
“We are devastated because most of those who died are people who we know very well,” he stated.
Bishops and leaders have now questioned the many religious institutions sprouting all over some with an aim of misleading the public.
“Religion cannot be and should not be the cause of people losing lives through radical extremism that people have to do exceptional things to gain blessings from God,” Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria pointed out.
On the other hand, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki warned the culprits found guilty of leading the cult movement in Shakahola village, indicating that they will be charged in accordance with the law.
Towards the August 9 polls, Raila Odinga’s wife Ida Odinga had mentioned that there was an urgent need to start regulating churches in Kenya. Her sentiments attracted mixed reactions with United Democratic Alliance UDA Party-allied leaders terming her remarks as careless and anti-Christ.
The total death toll at Shakahola now stands at 43, because a further four people died after they and others were discovered starving at the Good News International Church owned by the Coastal pastor.
