Blow to Mackenzie as lawyers withdraw services

By Peter Ochieng

Controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie suffered a major blow on Wednesday, after two of his lawyers withdrew their services.

The advocates, George Kariuki and Elisha Komora who were representing Mackenzie and his co-accused, withdrew their services before the Shanzu Law Courts, in Mombasa.

They cited interference from the government as the reason behind the move to withdraw their services.

“Since the beginning of the case, despite our calls for our clients to be treated well, our efforts have been in vain,” Kariuki said.

“We have tried begging them (State officers) to make it easier for us to reach our clients while in police cells, but the state is giving mere reasons,” added Komara.

“For that reason and others raised by my colleague Mr Kariuki, I also withdraw my services for the suspect Mackenzie and the rest."

However, another advocate, Wycliffe Makasembo vowed to continue representing the cleric.

“For whichever case, I will stand with Mackenzie and the rest until further a do, nothing will make me abandon them. But what I want to insist is for the state to make it easy for this matter to continue.”

Paul Mackenzie has been in police custody since he was first arrested in mid April, before being released and rearrested in early May.

He is facing several charges among them indoctrination.

Mackenzie reportedly counselled followers of his Good News International church to fast to death, in Shakahola forest Kilifi County, in order to meet Jesus.

Over 300 bodies of people who took the fast have been exhumed in the vast forest.