Paul Mackenzie Faces New Charge, Woes Intensify
On Friday, June 23, the state filed a new indictment against Paul Mackenzie, which exacerbated his problems.
Mackenzie of the Good News International Church was accused of violating film classification laws when he appeared before the court in Malindi, Kilifi County.
In 2019, the prosecution alleged that the controversial deacon had distributed films without a valid license from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KCFB).
Irene Tamara, the presiding judge at Malindi Court, heard that Mackenzie allegedly incited children against attending school through his Times TV.
The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) also accused Mackenzie of violating broadcasting codes.
The government reopened the case against the pastor of the Good News International Church after learning in April 2019 that he had denied the same allegations. Then, Mackenzie was released after posting a Ksh500,000 cash bond.
A Kilifi County correspondent who spoke with GossipA2Z confirmed that Mackenzie was arraigned alongside a number of his followers who were apprehended after the government began investigating the Shakahola massacre.
“It is true that he appeared in court today (June 30, Friday). However, his attorney contested the charge that the prosecution brought up for mentioning,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had asked the prosecution to charge Mackenzie with genocide and then threatened to imprison him for life.
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“We have also enlisted the assistance of the director of surveying to ensure that the entire Chakama ranch is combed. Kindiki stated, “We are considering charging Makenzi and his aides with genocide and other crimes against humanity.”
In contrast, President William Ruto characterized Mackenzie’s case as a terrorist act and vowed to take punitive action against the preacher.
“What we see in Kilifi is comparable to terrorism. Terrorists employ religion to justify their heinous actions. Ruto deplored the fact that “people like him use religion to do the same thing.”
However, the Head of State established a commission to investigate and draft new laws to regulate religious institutions.
Equal Justice Lady Justice (Retired) Mary Muhanji Kasango, Eric Gumbo, Bishop Catherine Mutua, Dr. Jonathan Lodompui, Dr. Frank Njenga, Wanyama Musiambu, and Albert Musasia comprise the team that Jessie Lesiit will lead.
Ezra Chiloba, director general of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), issued new guidelines for broadcasters on June 29 to regulate the publication of religious content.
Among them were media outlets that unveiled mechanisms to prevent the general public from consuming content containing pseudoscientific and superstitious beliefs and that broadcast content that does not influence the audience’s beliefs.
By June 2023, the police had exhumed approximately 338 bodies from the Shakahola Forest.
Paul Mackenzie Faces New Charge, Woes Intensify
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