Kilifi North Member of Parliament Owen Baya has raised concerns on how government will handle suspected cult leader Paul Mackenzie.
According to Baya, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the government at large is at crossroads on charging Mackenzie, who has been behind bars since April 2023.
“They have a problem with how to charge him. In the last security meeting I attended, I could see the DCI grappling with what to charge this guy (Mackenzie) for. Is it money laundering? Pastor Mackenzie is a poor man,” Baya said during an interview on Spice FM.
“He is not this pastor who was getting his money from the people, and if people sold their properties for him, I don’t know who took the money and what they did with the money, but Pastor Mackenzie is not finished paying for this land (Shakahola land),” Baya added.
He argued that there are complexities surrounding the charges that Mackenzie should face, and there is a need for a clear legal direction.
“Releasing him again is like telling people what? That they failed. We have a lot of issue around. I see the DCI people, government people and the lawyers wondering what to do,” Baya remarked.
The MP’s comments follow a statement made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki two months ago, where he asserted that Mackenzie will not be released from custody.
“Mackenzie will not get out of jail, he will age in there. 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,” said Kindiki.
Mackenzie and 15 other co-accused persons are currently in detention.
On Tuesday, court ordered the suspects to be remanded for two more days pending the hearing and determination of an application filed by the prosecution seeking a 47-day detention.
Mackenzie is suspected to have led a cult in Shakahola, which led to the death of over 400 people. He is yet to take plea.
