Controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie has been a subject of debate in the country after it was revealed that he was leading a cult that has led to the death of more than 73 people and counting.
The pastor is not new to controversies as he has locked horns with leaders before and also found himself in the corridors of justice.
In 2017 pastor Paul McKenzie made headlines after he led teachings in his church that led to his followers disregarding education.
In October 2017, Authorities raided the Good News International church and rescued close to 93 children, and arrested Pastor Mackenzie and some church members.
Mackenzie was taken to court and charged with promoting radicalization and teaching children in an unregistered school at his church. The teachings focused on disregarding education calling it ungodly. As a result, a number of kids dropped out of school to the chagrin of their parents.
Some of the children that were interrogated claimed that education was satanic and said that they had left their homes and schools to follow the pastor, Mackenzie.
Most of his followers, who include students from both primary to secondary schools and also university students, stood by their decision to drop out of school, quoting Bible verses.
Mackenzie was taken to court and denied the charges and was released on a Ksh.500,000 bond with surety of a similar amount.
In October 2018, irate residents of Bungale Kilifi County demolished one of Pastor Makenzi’s churches claiming that they were indoctrinating locals with false Christian teachings.
In December 2018, controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie, engaged in a public spat and altercation with Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa over his church activities.
CS Jumwa had threatened to storm the premise of Mackenzie over claims of radical teachings that saw children skip school after they were ‘brainwashed’ to believe that education was 'satanic'
The controversial preacher, accused CS Jumwa, who was at the time MP for Malindi, for inciting the public against his church, the Good News International.
Pastor Mackenzie warned CS Jumwa against her plot, vowing to take action against her and other politicians opposed to his religious activities.
“If anyone feels offended about my summons and teachings in accordance with the scripture, let them go to court and produce evidence, I am not afraid to serve my god,” he said during a church service back then.
Of late more details about the controversial Shakahola cult are being unearthed with detectives probing the case to recover more bodies buried at the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi.
Investigations have reported that Pastor Mackenzie allegedly instructed members of his church to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus."
The alleged instruction led to the death of two children while in their parents' care. This has been confirmed by IG of police Japhet Koome.
Mackenzie was arrested on the 17th of March 2023 and he was charged and freed on a Ksh.10,000 bail.
On April 15, police arrested him after discovering the bodies of four followers who allegedly starved themselves to "meet Jesus"
Eleven other followers of the church, seven men and four women aged 17 to 49, were taken to hospital, three of them in critical condition, after being rescued on April 14.
From then police have been probing the said pastor looking for more evidence at his vast farm.