DP Gachagua, Dorcas Rigathi Break Silence on Mackenzie, Ezekiel Odera Arrests

A photo of Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi addressing the congregation at House of Grace in Nairobi West, Nairobi County on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
A photo of Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi addressing the congregation at House of Grace in Nairobi West, Nairobi County on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
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Dorcas Rigathi

Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Thursday, April 27, called for the prosecution of the cultic pastor, Paul Mackenzie, if found guilty of committing any offences as accused.

In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Pastor Dorcas noted that the country is governed by law, and criminals should be dealt with in accordance with the constitution.

However, she defended the church, stating that the case should be handled separately from the clamour to clamp down on churches and deacons, as Mackenzie may have acted on his own accord. 

“If Paul Mackenzie is a criminal, he should be treated as an individual. Even his family should not be part of his crime. Paul Mackenzie is not the church. In fact, he has said he is not a pastor, but he is Mr. Paul," she stated at an event celebrating widows in Kibra, Nairobi. 

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A photo of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi attending a service at the PCEA Ngorano Center Church in Mathira on April 9, 2023.
Rigathi Gachagua

She advised the law and order agencies to follow the legal procedure to probe him and serve justice. 

"We cannot stand there and say because one Christian has been caught in a compromising situation, the whole body of Christ should be condemned. A criminal is a criminal, a terrorist is a terrorist, a murderer is a murderer. 

"Let them be taken through the law and be prosecuted if they are guilty. Let them be put behind bars. “She

Earlier, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defended the church following the arrests of pastors Mackenzie and his controversial counterpart, Ezekiel Odero.

Speaking during a meeting with multi-sectoral leaders, Gachagua cautioned against a blanket condemnation of the church because of the actions of a few religious leaders.

"The case in Kilifi showed that, like any other segment of society, even the church has some wrong people. But we cannot condemn the entire church because of the activities of two or three pastors," Gachagua stated.

He added that the Shakahola massacre represented any society where a few members act wayward from the rest.

"That is why we have people in prison and those who are out here. We need to weed out the five per cent, and we will," Gachagua assured during a meeting to address the prevalence of alcoholism in the Mount Kenya region. 

Earlier, Pastor Ezekiel of the New Life Church was arrested by officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kilifi, but transferred later to Mombasa. 

This was after 100 people were found holed up in his worship centre, which was subsequently closed by the officers who conducted the raid.

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki revealed that Odero would be charged with criminal charges relating to the mass killing of his followers.

The televangelist's lawyer, Jared Magolo, argued that the detectives had no substantive charges to pin his client on. Magolo expressed confidence that Ezekiel Odero would be released sooner than expected. 

A photo collage of Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie
A photo collage of Interior CS Kithure Kindiki (left) and controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie (Right).
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Ministry of Interior and National Administration
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