NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31 – The Government has declared Good News International Church, linked to cult leader Paul Mackenzie, an organized criminal group.
Mackenzie, who was operating from the Shakahola forest, is accused of convincing his followers to fast to death in order to “see God,” a move that left over 400 people dead, including women and children.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the designation is in line with the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act No. 6 of 2010.
“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,” Kindiki said Wednesday in a notice circulated by Ministry of Interior.
The ACT provides that “where the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that a specified group is engaged in any organized criminal activity under Section 3 of this Act,” he may, on the advice of the Commissioner of Police, by notice, declare that specified group an organized criminal group for the purposes of this Act.”
It also allows any person aggrieved by the decision of the Minister to apply to the High Court for redress within 21 days from the date of publishing the order.
Mackenzie was apprehended in April 2023 after four followers died from starvation, exposing the shadowy organization’s activities.
He faces multiple charges, including terrorism, murder, and child torture.
On January 25, Mackenzie and 38 co-accused individuals denied charges of child cruelty and infringement of children’s rights in the Tononoka Children’s Court.
The group is accused of committing 16 counts of child torture between 2020 and 2023 in Shakahola Forest.
In December 2023, a Malindi court sentenced Mackenzie to 12 months in prison for possessing and distributing films without examination and classification by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
He also received a 12-month sentence for operating a film studio and producing films without a valid license.
