'Paul Mackenzie is a criminal': Pastor Dorcas Rigathi breaks silence on Shakahola cult probe

Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has chimed in on the Shakahola cult probe that has elicited the anger of many Kenyans saying its controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie is just but a criminal, and not a man of God as he presents himself to be.

Speaking in Nairobi during a feeding programme for the widows at the House of Grace Church Nairobi, Pastor Dorcas called for the lawful prosecution of Mackenzie, further urging the public not to generalise his crime but to deal with him on a personal level.

The Second Lady underscored that the law should deal with the perpetrator as an individual without victimising the entire church community, the Christianity religion or his family.

“If Paul Mackenzie is a criminal, he should be treated as an individual. Even his family should not be part of his crime. Paul Mackenzie is not the church, in fact, he has said he is not a pastor but he is Mr Paul,“ she said.

“We have a law where when somebody is a criminal the procedure should be followed, but we cannot stand there and say because one Christian has been caught in a compromising situation, the whole body of Christ should be condemned; No, we must stop that, because it is not right.”

She reiterated that when a rogue leader violates the law, he or she should bear their responsibilities regardless of their position in society, adding that the law should be applied and if found guilty he (Mackenzie) should be put behind bars.

Consequently, Pastor Dorcas cautioned citizens against generalizing crimes with religious groups saying the character of an extremist should not be deemed the overall behaviour of others in the same religious group.

“A criminal is a criminal, a terrorist is a terrorist, a murderer is a murderer. Let them be taken through the law and be prosecuted...if they are guilty, let them be put behind bars,” she noted.

“We cannot generalize acts of criminalism; there are billions of Christians worldwide, we cannot now say that all Christians are killers or terrorists. Likewise, just like you hear a Muslim extremist has come up and he is a terrorist, you cannot generalize and say all Muslims are terrorists.”

The remarks by Deputy President Rigathi’s Spouse come even as the government has put other religious leaders as well on the spot over their doctrines.

On Thursday morning, controversial Pastor Ezekiel Odero of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church at Mavueni, Kilifi County, was also arrested over teachings as well as links to Mackenzie.

Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria, on his part, has appealed to the government to audit the wealth of all religious leaders.