Pastor Paul Ngei Mackenzie

Prophet of doom

Homicide detectives have discovered 12 graves in Chakama, Malindi that are believed to be those of followers of controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Makenzi of the Good News International Church.

The graves were discovered in an 800-acre parcel of land that is alleged to belong to the pastor, who came under scrutiny last month after a whistleblower reported the death of two children from the church who had reportedly died of starvation. Pastor Mackenzie is accused of practicing cult-like faith that forced his members to fast till they “meet Jesus”.

According to Human rights activists led by Mathias Shipeta, Victor Kaudo and Jacinta Mbey, the accused pastor is not new to such bizzare incidents and has in the past been arrested for radicalizing children.

The graves were located in different areas among them thickets, near the homes of the pastor’s followers while others were hidden in hard-to-reach areas.

During an operation that took almost the whole of Wednesday, four more badly famished people were rescued and rushed to the Malindi Sub County Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

According to the detectives, one woman had only few hours left to live.

The operation is being led by the Director of the Homicide Division of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Martin Nyaguto, and he said it may take three consecutive days to establish whether there are more graves in the sprawling forest that has been the abode of Makenzi’s followers since 2019.

Families of victims who are yet to know the whereabouts of their kin have asked the government to do everything possible to get their relatives, dead or alive.

The controversial pastor is being held at the Malindi Police Station after Malindi Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui Monday granted the police 14 days to hold Makenzi and six of his followers to complete investigations.

Pastor Starves Children to Death