Paul Makenzi was arraigned at a Malindi court last month in connection with the deaths of two children
NAIROBI, April 16 (NNN-KBC) — Controversial Kenyan preacher Paul Makenzi of the Good News International Church in Malindi has surrendered to detectives after four of his followers succumbed to self starvation arising from the pastor’s alleged cultic teachings.
Makenzi presented himself to Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers Friday afternoon at a time the Malindi Sub County Security Committee was touring Shakahola area in Chakama location where the four died and eleven others were rescued by police Thursday.
An urgent security meeting was held at the Malindi Deputy County Commissioner’s office led by Assistant County Commissioner (1) Angela Wanyama early Friday where committee members resolved to visit the area where hundreds of Pastor Makenzi’s supporters are believed to be fasting to death in order to meet their maker.
The committee also wanted to establish whether reports of a mass grave were authentic as the man of the cloth was being sought to answer to the alleged crime of radicalizing his followers.
During the operation, four more people were rescued and taken to the Malindi Sub County Hospital where eleven others were rushed to Thursday.
Former Makenzi followers and local leaders led by Adu Member of County Assembly Samson Zia condemned the pastor’s teachings and called on members of the public to be careful.
Malindi Sub County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) Charles Kamau said on phone that the firebrand preacher, who teaches against education and other earthly systems, gave himself up after he learned that police had launched a manhunt for him.
Meanwhile, pastors in Malindi have distanced themselves from the controversial preacher, saying his teachings are not backed by the Word of God – the Bible.
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, the clergymen urged the government to take action against the pastor as an individual since he (Makenzi) was a lone ranger.
“We urge Christians to read the Bible for themselves and also ask themselves the kind of faith the church they intend to join has to avoid being indoctrinated,” Pastor Otieno said.
Bishop Njehia on his part urged people with relatives hiding in Shakahola to move in and rescue them instead of waiting for their bodies.
He said the Christian faith does not advocate for anybody to die for others since Jesus Christ died for all to receive salvation.
“We condemn his teachings and declare that we are not together with him, nor do we have any relationship with him,” said Bishop Njehia. — NNN-KBC
