Pastor Mackenzie Follower Dies In Hospital

Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda was on Tuesday, June 21, informed of the aide's death by Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Yamina Jamii.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 21, 2023 - 12:50 Updated: Jun 21, 2023 - 13:05
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Pastor Mackenzie Follower Dies In Hospital
Good News International Church Pastor Paul Mackenzie in this picture taken on March 24, 2023. /NAIROBI NEWS

Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie has been hit with another blow after one of his followers reportedly died while in police custody.

Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda was on Tuesday, June 21, informed of the aide's death by Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Yamina Jamii.

Jamii revealed to the court that the aide, identified as Joseph Juma Buyuka, died two days ago while receiving treatment at the hospital.

"He is believed to have died as a result of a hunger strike and self-imposed starvation," stated the prosecutor.

Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie appears in court in Malindi on May 2, 2023. /AFP

"The aide had declined to eat and drink while being held at Malindi GK prison. He died two days ago this is the new development that the court should be made aware of."

The prosecutor further revealed that Mackenzie's aide died at Malindi Hospital where he was rushed to from Malindi GK Prison where he was being held.

"The State is waiting for the postmortem to be conducted on his body to ascertain the cause of death," Jamii told the court.

Jamii further revealed to the court that two more suspects were critically ill and were receiving treatment in the hospital. They are currently under medication owing to complications associated with a hunger strike.

The State noted that the death of the follower raised concerns regarding the degree of radicalisation that members of Mackenzie's Good News Church underwent in a controversial fashion.

Buyuka was among the 30 Mackenzie followers who were relocated to prison after staging a hunger strike while in police custody.

The latest death now brings the toll to four three people who succumbed to complications as a result of the hunger strike. 

Mackenzie, his wife Rhodha Mumbua and 16 other suspects appeared at Shanzu Law Courts on Wednesday, June 14 to determine whether their detention period would be extended.

Some had however collapsed within the court premises as their bodies were too weak. Senior Prosecution Council Jami Yamina revealed that the 16 suspects were on a 10-day hunger strike as a way of standing together with Mackenzie.

However, Mackenzie and his assistant Smart Mwakalama had been eating all the meals they were served.

“We fear that some of them will lose their lives while in custody. The rest of them went on a hunger strike 10 days ago and refused to eat or drink water."

“We have to address this matter now because we do not know if these people will be alive tomorrow,” Yamina indicated.

As the suspects were led out of a police van, some of them were unable to walk, with one of the men falling down and being unable to stand as his body was too frail.

Paul Mackenzie is currently facing charges of murder, manslaughter, and child neglect. He is accused of leading his followers into starvation, resulting in the deaths of at least 300 people.

He and his wife went on a hunger strike on June 7, 2023, while in prison following Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki's threat that they would be jailed for life.

"Mackenzie will not get out of jail. He will age in it. We pray that God gives him more years to see Kenya's security prosper."

"He will not get out of jail... Mackenzie will meet the wrath of God after jail," Kindiki vowed.

Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki addressing other faithful and leaders at the Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) Sagana Town, Kirinyaga County for worship on Sunday, June 4, 2023. /FACEBOOK.KITHURE KINDIKI