Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church and his co-accused, including his wife, Rhodah Mumbua, on Wednesday, June 7, began a hunger strike in prison.
According to their lawyer, Mackenzie, his wife and the rest of the suspects were angered by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki's threat that he would ensure the pastor stays in prison for life.
The suspects claimed that the State had decided their fate, and they would not receive any justice in the ongoing case.
"We need some assurance from the Chief Justice Honourable Martha Koome that our client will get justice during this trial," Mackenzie's lawyer requested.
The Advocate claimed that his clients would pray and fast until such a time when Kindiki rescinds his statement.
The Good New International Church preacher wondered why Kindiki was quick to condemn him to life imprisonment, yet the State had not charged him.
"We are seeing a possibility of a miscarriage of justice since the person who spoke is a highly placed individual with immense power," Mackenzie's lawyer stated.
While addressing a Church Service at Kenya Assemblies of God in Sagana, Kirinyaga, on Sunday, June 4, Kindiki stated that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie would be jailed for life since his crime amounted to a lifetime sentence.
"Mackenzie will not get out of jail. He will age in it. 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," Kindiki stated.
The Interior CS further warned that even if the court sets Mackenzie free, he will still ensure he is detained till death.
Kindiki blamed previous rulings that had led to the release of criminals, including terrorists, in the name of respecting the Constitution.
"That one suspect in Shakahola has killed more people than those killed by Al- Shabaab in Kenya in the last 10 years. At Garissa University, 148 people were killed and the Dusit attack claimed 21 lives," Kindiki stated.
Mackenzie was arrested on March 2, 2023, and accused of fraud, money laundering, aiding his followers to kill themselves and indoctrination of the faithful.
He was also accused of defrauding his followers of millions of shillings and abating the death of his faithful in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County, through prayer and fasting.
