Paul Mackenzie Freed, Then Arrested Again; Here's Why
Mackenzie and his co-accused were rearrested outside the court in Malindi and are expected to be moved to Shanzu where they will face fresh charges.
Marvin Chege 
Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie was set free on Tuesday, May 2, but was re-arrested shortly after his arraignment before a Malindi court, along with six others.
The preacher was under investigation for the Shakahola Massacre, in which over 100 people are suspected of starving to death, but will now appear at the Shanzu High Court alongside his co-accused.
The case was closed as Malindi Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike ruled that her court does not have the jurisdiction to hear terrorism charges that the prosecution wanted to add in the suit against Mackenzie.
Mackenzie and his co-accused were rearrested outside the court in Malindi and are expected to be moved to Shanzu where they will face fresh charges.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge accompanied by some of his followers during a court appearance in Malindi on April 17, 2023. /AP
The prosecution had earlier urged the courts to close the files of Mackenzie and his co-accused in order for the seven to face terrorism charges at the Shanzu court under the Terrorism Act for radicalization. It also sought to detain Mackenzie for three months as investigations into the Shakahola massacre continue.
"This court cannot, in its capacity, give any formal anticipatory bail as there is no formal application to hold the suspects. As it is, anticipatory bail is taken from the High Court.
"Any application for bail can be made before the specialised court once they are arraigned. In this regard, this miscellaneous file is therefore closed. The suspects are at liberty to leave unless they are again otherwise withheld," the magistrate directed.
Chief Justice Martha Koome had on Thursday, April 27 announced that investigations were launched against all members of the Judiciary who dealt with Pastor Mackenzie's numerous cases in court.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge of Good News International Ministries - Malindi was first arraigned in court on October 17, 2017, where he was charged with radicalisation, for promoting extreme beliefs, offering education in unregistered institutions, failing to take his children to compulsory primary and secondary education and failing to provide the children with education.
In 2019, he faced other charges at the Malindi Magistrate's Court. A few of his followers were also charged on various occasions with child neglect.
"The complaints against Pastor Mackenzie and his co-accused were also discussed by stakeholders in the justice chain led by the then Presiding Judge at the Malindi law Courts under the auspice of the Kilifi County Court Users Committee (CUC) in its Quarterly meeting of 15.11.2019.
"The CUC discussed the issue of radicalization of children by Pastor Mackenzie through his church and TV station. The issue was escalated to the National Government Implementation Committee and the Communications Authority, and the CUC was advised the matter had been forwarded to the Cabinet for discussion in the coming weeks," revealed a statement by the Judiciary.
The TV station's licence was revoked by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), but no feedback was given on the proposal by the CUC to have the church de-registered or the decision by the Cabinet on the issue.
CJ Koome's report corroborated sentiments by Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome who on Monday, April 24 made public details of Mackenzie's criminal record dating as far back as 2017.
“According to our criminal records, Mackenzie has a record dating back to 2017. The most recent report was made on March 17, 2023. In the report, he was linked to the death of 2 children.
"He was re-arrested on April 14, 2023, after presenting himself to police. Thereafter, he was arraigned on April 17, 2023. A custodial order of 14 days was enacted to enable the police to conclude investigations," Koome stated.
