Benson Mutimba, a resident of Siaya County on Sunday, April 30, disclosed that the late Professor George Magoha rescued his son from falling victim to controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie.
According to Mutimba, Magoha came to the rescue of his son after ordering a probe on students absent from learning institutions in 2019. The directive then compelled his son, who attended Kibabii University in Bungoma County, to return home.
The parent highlighted that his confrontation with Mackenzie ensued in 2019 after his two sons went missing.
At the time, he received a phone call from Mackenzie who informed him that his children were safe and that the entire family should join them in his teachings.
"He told me that these were the end times because Jesus was about to return and after listening to his preachings, we would go back as a family," Mutimba affirmed.
Not keen on his teachings, the parent questioned the credibility of Mackenzie's message and why the pastor did not want to release his two sons.
"I asked him, 'You have seized my children and are telling me to come all the way to Malindi, how can I trust you? What's the difference between your teachings and preachings from other churches?'" Mutimba questioned.
In a rejoinder, Mackenzie retorted: "You will do as you are told if you love your children."
Mutimba noted that his children also called him, urging him to comply with the pastor's message.
After Magoha's intervention, Mutimba noted that his two sons still went missing later because they returned to Kilifi County. That was when he called upon police officers to launch a probe into their disappearance.
Earlier, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki announced that he was set to oversee the commencement of the post-mortem examination of the bodies recovered from Shakahola Forest on Monday, May 1.
The team of experts carrying out the postmortem examinations will be led by Government Chief Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor.
At the same time, President William Ruto affirmed that a framework would be developed in conjunction with spiritual leaders to tame unscrupulous pastors.
He also noted that he would form a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in a week's time to investigate the Shakahola massacre.
"I will consult all religious leaders in the country to have a task force to weed out the characters who want to abuse religion or to run businesses and do things that are anti-religion in Kenya," he stated during a church service at Makutano Stadium in Kapenguria, West Pokot County on Sunday, April 30.
The death toll stands at 110 after the exhumation inside Shakahola Forest was halted due to the harsh weather conditions.
