Controversial Pastors, Mackenzie and Ezekiel facing charges of mass killings

The Communication Authority (CA) has suspended television stations owned by controversial Pastors; Paul Mackenzie and Pastor Ezekiel Odero for airing exorcism content.

CA Director General, Ezra Chiloba, confirmed the suspension of World Televangelism TV and Times TV. He accused the two television stations of violating broadcasting standards by “airing inappropriate content on exorcism during the watershed period”.

“The Authority has further directed the broadcast signal distributor, Pan African Network Group (PANG) Limited, to cease carrying the two stations on its platform until further notice,” Chiloba said.

In addition to airing inappropriate exorcism content, World Evangelism TV is accused of violating 12 other broadcasting regulations, while Times TV is accused of breaking 17 other licensing conditions.

Pastor Mackenzi has made headlines in the past 3 weeks after over 80 bodies were found buried in shallow graves on his farm in Chakama, Malindi.

He is accused of misleading his followers to fast to death until they “meet Jesus”.

Pastor  Ezekiel, the head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, was also arrested on Thursday in Malindi and is accused of the “mass killing” of his followers as well.

He appeared in court on Friday where the prosecutors said is suspected of crimes including murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering.

Police have filed an application to detain him for a further 30 days to allow a probe into alleged deaths in his church.