SUPKEM urges government to apply security law equally

By Robert Mutasi 

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) criticized the government for what they call "selective discrimination of security laws" in addressing the issue of deceptive religious leaders exploiting their followers. 

During a presentation to the senate ad-hoc committee, SUPKEM argued that the government enforces strict measures against Islamic religious extremism, while handling similar cases involving Christianity more leniently. 

The organization referenced a recent incident in Shakahola, where hundreds of congregants died due to extremism. 

SUPKEM's Chairperson, Naado, suggested that the government should have either implemented stricter actions than merely arresting Paul Mackenzie or shown more leniency towards Islamic extremists in the past.

The Chairperson contended that if Mackenzie were a Muslim, he would not have received a court trial, and his family and associates would have faced different circumstances. 

SUPKEM believes that the case of Pastor Mackenzie has not been taken as seriously as it should have been based on security laws.

Naado expressed that in their experience, a Muslim in a similar situation would not have been treated as a regular crime, and security laws would have been applied strictly.

SUPKEM called on the government to handle cases according to their criminal nature, such as theft, robbery, and extrajudicial killings.

The Islamic leadership body proposed that all religious umbrella organizations create a caucus within their structure to review teachings, identify errors, and guide followers accordingly. 

They also urged the government to respect the constitution, allow freedom of religion and belief, and treat all denominations equally.

As of now, 284 bodies believed to be followers of the controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie have been discovered in the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.