CS Kindiki Declares Pastor Mackenzie's Church Organized Criminal Group

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declared the Good News International Ministries under controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie an organized criminal group.

The CS referred to the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act of 2010 in slapping the new label on the church vide a Gazette Notice issued on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 22 (1) of the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Good News International Ministries to be an organized criminal group for the purposes of the Act," the Gazette stated.

The declaration, according to Kindiki, takes effect from the date of order, which is on January 31.

The laws of the Act could see Pastor Mackenzie among other suspects risk a fine not exceeding Ksh5 million or a jail term of up to 15 years should they be convicted.

“If as a result of the act referred to in the section person dies, the member of the organized criminal group shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for life," the Act indicates.

The Act also notes that a group termed as organized is allowed to appeal to the High Court for an amendment of the decision within 21 days after the declaration is made. 

"A person who attempts, aids, abets, counsels, procures, or conspires with another to commit an offence under this Act commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years, or both," the Act adds. 

This notably comes after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on January 16, 202 approved 10 charges against 95 suspects linked to the death of 429 people in the Shakahola Massacre, including Mackenzie.

This follows an injunction issued by the courts to press charges against them or release them following the massacre.

DPP Renson Mulele Ingonga revealed that he was satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 95 suspects linked to the heinous crime that targeted people believed to be members of the Good News International Church.

The charges include murder, radicalization, child torture, manslaughter and cruelty.

The DPP classified the charges under the following; Offences under the Penal Code Cap 63, Offences under the Children Act, of 2001; the Prevention of Torture Act, of 2017 and the Basic Education Act, of 2013 and  Offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012 and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010.