Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki insists that a crackdown targeted at weeding out rogue preachers in the country will continue despite resistance from a section of the religious leaders.
In a statement on Sunday, May 21, Kindiki maintained that the church and other religious organisations have a responsibility to support the government in its effort to get rid of rogue preachers using scriptures to radicalise and indoctrinate their followers.
“This crackdown will go on despite resistance from some religious leaders,” Kindiki said.
The CS apologised to all Kenyans on behalf of the Kenyan government for the killing of more than 200 people in a shocking religious cult in Shakahola, Malindi, Kilifi County, linked to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.
Mackenzie, the leader of Good News International Church, is said to have misled his followers to fast to death with a promise of “meeting Jesus”.
The preacher is among three clerics who have been arrested recently over alleged cultic preachings in the country. Others are Pastor Ezekiel Odero of the New Life Church and Prayer Centre and Eliud Wekesa Simiyu alias ‘Yesu wa Tongaren’ of New Jerusalem Church.
He affirmed that the government will hold officers responsible for security lapses in Shakahola to account.
“The Government apologises to all Kenyans for the Shakahola forest massacre. There will be accountability for every officer who, by acts of commission or omission, aided Makenzi in committing atrocities against innocent people,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki reiterated the remarks during a Sunday service at the House of Testimonies, Victory Revival Church in Nturiri, Maara Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County.
Last Sunday, President William Ruto apologised to Kenyans over the Shakohola massacre, admitting that there was laxity from the government side.
“It is evident that there was laxity in our Government that unfortunately resulted in the death of many Kenyans. I am not taking it lightly,” he said.
“As the President, Shakahola should not have happened. For that, I truly say I’m sorry.”
