Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie has distanced himself from any alleged connection to a Kilifi cult that has garnered significant attention in the Coast region.
Through his lawyer, Wycliffe Makasembo, the preacher, who is currently involved in a high-profile court case regarding the Shakahola massacre, refuted any claims of participation in religious radicalization in Binzaro village, Kilifi County. This week, three individuals were apprehended, three others were rescued, and two human skulls along with a body were retrieved from the area.
The pastor was associated with the case after it was reported that one of the arrested individuals was a member of Mackenzie’s church, leading to speculation about the preacher’s potential involvement.
“Emerging claims suggest that one of those arrested was a follower of Mackenzie, but at this moment, these matters are still under investigation. Therefore, I cannot definitively confirm whether one was a member of his (Mackenzie’s) church,” stated Makasembo.
The lawyer also appeared to question the validity of the allegations, pointing out that the Binzaro incident took place far from the location of Mackenzie’s church.
Graves
This development follows reports that Mackenzie is believed to have caused the deaths of 191 individuals between January 2021 and September 2023 in the Shakahola area, Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi County, through his cult.
The shocking extent of the massacre began to surface in March–April 2023, when police, acting on tips reportedly from local media and human rights advocates, uncovered shallow graves and emaciated individuals in the forest. Among the victims were 11 known children, 82 unidentified male children, 72 unidentified female children, and 26 children whose gender remains unknown.
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