Monday, April 24, 2023 –President William Ruto has taken over Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s case with instructions to get the Coastal pastor processed in court over his criminal conduct.
Reacting to the news about more than 39 death cases at Shakahola Forest in the Coastal Region, President Ruto, today Monday April 24, urged law enforcers to seal off the forest saying the area is now a crime scene.
“Enough security officers have been deployed, and the entire 800-acre forest sealed off and declared a crime scene.
“I have directed the Regional Commissioner for Coast Region together with the Regional Security Team to reinforce the team in Malindi ahead of my visit on Tuesday, April 25,” he stated.
The head of State who was addressing the Prison Officers Pass out parade on Monday April 24 said Mackenzie’s actions are no different from terrorism.
He added that, under his administration, it will not be possible for questionable religious sectors to take advantage of their flock in the name of churches.
“What we are seeing in Kilifi, Shakahola, is akin to terrorism. There is no difference between Mr Mackenzie who pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal. Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mr Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing,” he stated.
The President, therefore, directed security agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI, to investigate against pastors abusing their places of worship to commit heinous acts.
He directed that such religious centers must be shut down since they were working against what the Bible requires.
So far, death toll at Shakahola Forest stands at 39 with more expected to be discovered in the ongoing exhumation exercise.
The controversial self-declared pastor asks his followers – both children and adults – to pray and fast for weeks until they die to enter the kingdom of God.
