Shakahola probe: Senate committee wants 11 police officers punished, Mackenzie associates deported

The Senate committee on the proliferation of religious organizations has recommended disciplinary action against 11 security officers on allegations of involvement in the Shakahola cult tragedy that has so far led to the deaths of 429 people.

In a report tabled before the Senate on Thursday, the committee also recommended the investigations and deportation of two individuals who reportedly indoctrinated controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.

The committee proposed the enactment of the Religious Organisation Bill that will among other things set up a separate office exclusively dedicated to registration and oversight of religious organisations.

The 11 officers including Joseph Kemboi, Solomon Odera, Hassan Hamara, Jecinta Wasonga and Paul Maweu are among officers of the Kilifi County security committee who were accused of not only failing to honour summons by the House committee, but also turning a blind eye to complaints by members of the public on radicalisation and suspected abduction by Mackenzie.

Further, the committee advised that the DCI and the Department of Immigration to investigate with a view to deporting any persons affiliated with a religious grouping known as Jesus Christians or A Voice in the Desert, linked to Dave and Sherry Mackay, who are believed to be behind the setting up the Good News International Ministry led by Mackenzie.

The committee recommended the immediate deregistration of the Good News International Ministry, and have it declared an organized crime syndicate and investigated for links to money laundering schemes.

The Senate also advised that the DCI, DPP and the Ministry of Interior freeze the assets registered to Mackenzie and his associates, and that the proceeds be used to compensate families of deceased victims within the next 90 days.

The Ministry of Interior was also advised to facilitate the recovery of vital documents including national Identity cards, birth certificates and title deeds to the survivors in the next 30 days and the formation of a multi-sectoral committee to conduct counselling and prepare the survivors for reintegration in the society.

In what seems like a silver bullet to prevent the cropping up of religious groupings, the House committee recommended the enactment of the proposed Religious Organisations Bill of 2023, which will establish the Office of the Registrar of Religious Organizations.

The office will develop an exclusive framework of registration, laser eye scrutiny of the qualifications of religious leaders as well as revising the offences and penalties for noncompliance.

Other recommendations include the shutting down of social media pages associated with Mackenzie, and the arrest of any individual found to be propagating the doctrine advanced by Good News International Ministry.