Kilifi County Assembly calls for stiffer measures against Malindi preacher

Malindi, Wednesday April 19, 2023

K.N.A By Emmanuel Masha

Members of the County Assembly of Kilifi Tuesday called for more punitive measure to be imposed against controversial Preacher Paul Makenzi to deter him from further spiritual harm to Kenyans.

Led by Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire, the MCAs condemned Pastor Makenzi, whose teachings, they said, had led to the loss of many lives, yet the law seems to favour him and urged the government to employ alternative measures to punish the preacher.

At least 14 people are believed to have died of starvation after the pastor allegedly influenced them to fast to death in order to meet Jesus Christ. He is currently in police custody after the court Monday allowed the officers to hold him and some of his followers for 14 days.

Speaker Mambire called on the Inspector General of Police to invoke the penal code and ask the courts to bond the preacher to keep peace since it may not be easy to charge him with any offence using existing laws.

            He said alternatively, the courts could grant the controversial preacher a bond of between Sh500 million and Sh1 billion to ensure that he does not interact with right-thinking Kenyans.

Mr. Mwambire led as host of Members of the County Assembly in condemning Pastor Makenzi, whose doctrinal teachings are blamed for the death of more than 14 people through starvation.

“I would like to advise the government, especially the Inspector General of police. I would like the Sub County Police Commander to take this individual to the courts and ask the court to bond him to keep peace for at least one year to protect him and members of the public,” he said.

Mr. Mwambire said from the way people were talking outside, the safety of the preacher is not guaranteed and that he should be kept away from the public to protect him from harm as well as prevent him from further propagating his doctrine.

He said if nothing is done to deter the controversial pastor, the County Assembly of Kilifi would lead a huge demonstration to press for the banishing of the Pastor from Kilifi County.

“According to the law, this issue is beyond the purview of the County Assembly. This is a matter that can be handled by the National Assembly and the Senate,” he said.

Adu Member of County Assembly Samson Zia Kahindi, who hails from Shakahola village where Pastor Makenzi is said to be committing the atrocities against his followers, termed the pastor’s activities as acts of terrorism.

He alleged that more than 70 children and 50 adults have died in the forest in Shakahola areas and that some of the bodies of people believed to have starved themselves to death are being collected daily from thickets.

“As I am talking, two bodies have been discovered and are still on the ground. What Pastor Makenzi is doing is terrorism using the church because some of his followers are armed and ready to attack and this man should be sentenced to hang,” he said.

The County Assembly’s Leader of Majority, Mr. Ibrahim Abdi, said the MCAs were planning to introduce a motion in the assembly that will compel the County Government of Kilifi to send County Enforcement Officers to Shakahola to guard the forest as well as outlawing churches with wrong teachings.

Jaribuni MCA Peter Shehe, who identifies himself as the spokesperson of all kayas in Kilifi, called on the government to take pastor Makenzi out of the county.

Mariakani Ward MCA Martha Koki said she would organize women for a huge demonstration to the Malindi police Station or wherever the pastor is being held to ensure that a deterrent action is taken against the preacher.

Malindi Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui Monday allowed the police to hold pastor Makenzi for 14 days alongside six of is followers to allow officers to complete investigations, while another seven followers will be held by the police for seven days to receive counselling after refusing to eat.

Courtesy K.N.A