Malindi residents want church opposed to education closed
Pastor Paul Makenzi of Good News International Ministries church when he was arrested in September 2017 on suspicion of radicalising children. Now Malindi residents want his church closed for discouraging followers from going to school or to hospital. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Last month, a video clip of children aged between six to 17 years renouncing education went viral on social media leading to public outcry.
- There are claims that televangelist Paul Makenzi of the controversial church has made about 100 learners to drop out of school.
- In October 2018, police officers raided the church and rescued about 93 children and arrested Pastor Makenzi.
Malindi residents have protested against a local church and a televangelist suspected to be indoctrinating his followers with false religious teachings.
Led by Mr Dickson Chilango, a human rights activist, the residents called on the government to close down Good News International Ministries.
“This because the church is offering extreme doctrines by teaching that education and seeking medical healthcare is evil,” he said.
Last month, a video clip of children aged between six to 17 years renouncing education went viral on social media leading to public outcry.
DROPPED FROM SCHOOL
Mr Chilango claimed they have information that televangelist Paul Makenzi of the controversial church has made about 100 learners to drop out of school.
“Some of them have even burnt down their exam certificates claiming education is satanic,” he added.
In October 2018, police officers raided the church and rescued about 93 children and arrested Pastor Makenzi and some members of the church.
Mr Makenzi was later taken to court and charged with promoting radicalism and teaching children in an unregistered school at the church.
He denied the offences and he was released on a Sh500,000 bond with surety.
During the arrest, some of the children interrogated said education is satanic and had left home and school to follow the pastor.
The pastor’s followers, who include primary, secondary school and university students, defended their decision to drop out of school, quoting Bible verses.
