File image of President William Ruto
President William Ruto has broken silence on the Kilifi cult linked to pastor Paul Mackenzie.
Speaking on Monday April 24 in Ruiru, Kiambu County, President Ruto termed pastor Mackenzie’s cult activities as an act of terrorism.
“People like Paul Mackenzie (of the Shakahola cult) and any other terrorists, do not belong to any religion. They belong in prison,” said Ruto
“What is being witnessed in Shakahola is akin to terrorism. Mr Mackenzie who acts as a pastor is in fact a terrible criminal. Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing.”
This comes after three more bodies were found in Shakahola village in Kilifi bringing the total number of bodies found since Friday to 42.
The police have said that there are atleast 90 graves that have been spotted at in the village and are already working to exhume the bodies.
Pastor Mackenzie who has been in the limelight in the past few days is said to have allegedly influenced his followers to fast to death on the promise they will meet jesus.
He was arrested on April 15 has been in police custody after the Malindi High Court denied him release on bond.
File image of Paul Mackenzie
According to the Kenya Read Cross, 112 people linked to the cult are missing.
“We have set up tracing and counselling desks at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital for the Shakahola response. So far 112 people have been reported missing at the tracing desk,” said Kenya Red Cross.
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