Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, the Second Lady, has called for the prosecution of Pastor Paul Mackenzie, who has been accused of committing offences related to a cultic group.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 27, she emphasized that Kenya is governed by law, and anyone found guilty of criminal activities should be dealt with in accordance with the constitution.
Pastor Rigathi, however, defended the church, saying that the case should be handled separately from the clamour to clamp down on churches and deacons, as Mackenzie may have acted on his own accord.
Speaking at an event celebrating widows in Kibra, Nairobi, she said, “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.”
The Second Lady’s comments come after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defended the church following the arrests of pastors Mackenzie and his controversial counterpart, Ezekiel Odero. Speaking during a meeting with multi-sectoral leaders, Gachagua cautioned against a blanket condemnation of the church because of the actions of a few religious leaders.
The two pastors were arrested following complaints from members of their congregation, who accused them of forming a cultic group and brainwashing them. Mackenzie has denied the accusations, saying that he is not a pastor and that his church is a self-help group. The case is ongoing, and Pastor Rigathi has called for due process to be followed.
by: L-News254