Arrest Made: Mackenzie Assistant’s Wife Tied to Church & Cult Deaths
Today, forensic investigators are anticipated to return to Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County to exhume additional victims of a cult associated with Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Church.
Yesterday, detectives arrested Ms. Mary Smart, the wife of Mackenzie acolyte and second-in-command Smart Mwakalama.
She was questioned for more than three hours at the Malindi Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office regarding her role in the church’s suspicious activities.
The mother of six then requested to see her children, whom she claimed she had abandoned two weeks prior in Shakahola Forest.
Ms. Smart was one of nine individuals rescued by police on Sunday evening.
She was taken to the Malindi Sub-county Hospital. For medical care and was fed rice and meat.
Yesterday at approximately 1:00 p.m. She was transported to the Malindi Police Station for questioning. When asked what she would like to eat, she requested that her sister Naomi Kahindi purchase bread and a soda.
She also requested a toothbrush, noting that it had been two weeks since she last brushed her teeth.
As investigations continue into the cult’s activities, which have resulted in the exhumation of 201 bodies from the forest, her arrest places the church’s leadership in police custody.
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In the meantime, President William Ruto has asked for forgiveness for the Shakahola massacre, admitting that several government agencies were lax and complacent.
This occurred after the number of exhumed bodies surpassed 200.
“I accept accountability as President. Dr. Ruto stated in a televised interview with local media outlets on Sunday, “I am promising Kenyans that we will get to the bottom of this matter.”
He blamed the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The National Police Service, chiefs and their assistants, and Nyumba Kumi officials for failing to detect the sect’s activities promptly.
As he explained why he had not yet visited the site. The President also promised to visit Malindi once the multi-agency team on the ground has completed its forensic analysis.
The location has been designated as a crime scene. And a security operation is currently underway, he said.
The President asserted that Raila Odinga’s visit to Shakahola was political.
“What does it help for a political figure to go there? Is he a security expert? A doctor? “Will he be exhuming bodies?” he said.
The President stated, in response to the exclusion of journalists. From the Shakahola forest to cover the exhumations, “What would there be to hide. About graves and dead people?”
Regarding the increasing calls to regulate the Church, he stated, “I am aware that there are anxious individuals. According to them, we should not regulate the Church. Let’s have a self-regulating institution.”
Arrest Made: Mackenzie Assistant’s Wife Tied to Church & Cult Deaths
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