NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 26-The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, has obtained court orders to search and seize all property belonging to controversial televangelist Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church who encouraged his followers to starve to death.
Pastor Mackenzie has been linked to the deaths of his followers as a result of practicing mass starvation in Shakahola forest, the base of his operations.
The move comes as authorities placed the number of deaths associated with the Mackenzie cult at 95 on Wednesday.
The search order was issued by the Malindi Law Courts, which directed that the warrants are valid for a period of 10 days beginning today (Wednesday).
The search will target Mackenzie, as well as Sanga Stephen Muye, Gedion Mbithi Kioko, Joseph Kenga Mbogoli, Stephen Ominde Lwangu, Smart Mwakalama, Alfred Asena, and Robert Kahindi Katana.
“An order authorizing Sgt. No. 60484 Joseph Yator of DCI – Malindi and other officers working with him in the investigation to search the 1st Respondent’s premises where he lives and/or carries on his calling or business in Furunzi- Malindi Sub County and Shakahola, and the 2nd to 8th Respondents’ residences/premises in Shakahola for the purposes of retrieving bank details or documents, title documents, sale agreements, motor vehicle details, and any other document and item linked to the offenses of terrorism, radicalization, murder, and any other charges that will be preferred against the accused persons,” said Ivy Wasike, the Malindi Court Principal Magistrate.
She further directed the lead investigating officer and/or any other officers working with him in the investigations to seize any such property as stipulated in the execution of the warrants and bring the same before court for appropriate orders pending the completion of the investigations.
She also directed that the search of the residences/premises of all respondents be conducted in the presence of counsel for the respondents and/or their authorized agent, who will also make an inventory of any items or goods that will be seized during the search.
“The search of the premises be conducted during daytime,” she added.
The court warned that any person served with the order and disobeys the same shall be cited for contempt and is liable for imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.
