Ezekiel and Mackenzie churches facing closure over noncompliance

According to Maria Goretti Nyariki, the Deputy Registrar of Societies, Pastor Paul Mackenzie's church, Good News, received a 30-day show cause notice for noncompliance.

Ms Nyariki told the Senator Mungatana-led ad Hoc Committee on the Shakahola massacre that Mackenzie's church had been compliant since its registration in 2010, until 2022, when an attempt was made to change its name.

Mackenzie was also to resign as church chairman, according to the deputy registrar.

"The Good News registered in September 2010 and was compliant until last year, when there was an attempt to change the name of the church from Good News to something else," Ms Nyariki told the committee on Wednesday. 

"That was not successful as there was non compliance with the change of names and officials," 

The committee heard that at the time of registration, Mackenzie was the chairman, assisted by Raphael Riziki Baya. Smarts Mwakalama served as secretary, and Sebastian Kachero served as treasurer.

"We took the liberty to send a cancellation notice to this church because of activities that have come to the fore," Ms Nyariki added. 

"It is usually a 30-day notice to show cause why the society should not be deregistered," 

Elsewhere, Televangelist Ezekiel Ombok's New Life Prayer Centre and church has also received a cancellation notice. 

According to the deputy registrar, the church has not filed any returns since its registration on September 11, 2012, and has thus been deemed non-compliant.

"Since its registration, they have not complied with the requirements of the Societie's Act, no returns have been filed and we have issued them with a notice to show cause," Ms Nyariki added. 

The New Life church's hierarchical structure was as follows when it was registered about a decade ago: Ezekiel Ombok Odero (Chairman), Moses Onyango (Vice Chair), Alice Nafula (Secretary), and Franklin Kilonzo (Treasurer).