Shakahola Massacre: Ruto Calls Pastor Paul Mackenzie A Terrorist

President William Ruto has labelled the actions of Pastor Paul Mackenzie, linked to the deaths of several of his followers whose bodies were discovered buried at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi, as an act of terrorism.

Speaking during the Prison Officers Pass Out Parade on Monday, April 24, the President called for Pastor Mackenzie's prosecution, adding that the pastor was ordering Kenyans to undertake activities that are against the confines of the Constitution of Kenya.

The Head of State further condemned religious groups asking Kenyans to go above and beyond by prohibiting them to go to the hospital when sick and barring children from going to school.

"Look out for those who want to abuse even the religious sector by masquerading as religious people yet what they do is contrary to the teachings and to the beliefs of the religion whether they are Christians, Muslims or any other religion.

"What we are seeing in Kilifi, Shakahola is akin to terrorism. There is no difference between Mr Mackenzie who pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal. Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mr Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing," he stated.

As a consequence, Ruto ordered security agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to carry out investigations on pastors misusing their roles in religion to commit heinous acts.

"I want to say that I have instructed the agencies responsible to take up the matter and to get to the root course and to the bottom of the people who want to use religion to advance weird unacceptable ideology in the Republic of Kenya that is coursing unnecessary loss of lives," he added.

He further compelled the authorities to shut down such religious centres adding that they were doing more harm to their congregants than good.

"Those religious institutions should be closed down because they are working against the collective interest of the people of Kenya. Those responsible should be prosecuted. 

"People like Mackenzie and all other terrorists and criminals do not belong to any religion, they belong to jail and that is where they should be," he went on.

Ruto's remarks came after National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, lamented the failure of the intelligence service and the structured security system in the area which left innocent Kenyans to die at the hands of rogue religious leaders, including Paul Mackenzie, believed to have coerced the deceased members to fast.

The Speaker called for thorough investigations to be done on the matter and for the government to take action against officers who absconded their duty.

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki warned that culprits guilty of leading the cult movement would be subjected to tough punishment under the law.

He further deployed police to the village to seal off the forest where the mass graves were unearthed and for a multi-agency security team to unravel the deaths linked to fasting. 

"While the Multi-agency security team on site is doing their best to unearth the truth and prevent further loss of lives, I have directed the Regional Commissioner for Coast Region together with the Regional Security Team to reinforce the team in Malindi ahead of my visit on Tuesday.

"Enough security officers have been deployed and the entire 800-acre forest is sealed off and declared a scene of crime," he added.

Police on Sunday dug out 18 bodies from Shakahola Village bringing the total number of exhumed bodies to 39. Three shallow graves containing six bodies were the first to be found with one grave containing three bodies, while the other two contained two and the third one.

Paul Mackenzie who is believed to have coerced the deceased members to fast is in police custody aiding in investigations after he was initially freed on a Ksh10,000 bail.

Good News International Church Pastor Paul Mackenzie when addressing Nation.Africa in Kilifi County on March 24, 2023. /DAILY NATION