Controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie has been sentenced to one year in jail without a fine for airing unapproved films in his Good News International church.
The films, found to discourage children from attending school and advise parents against sending their children to school, violated regulations set by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
The high Court, last month, ruled that Mackenzie had a case to answer regarding the possession and distribution of unapproved film materials.
This is one of three charges he faced since 2019, including incitement to disobey the law. The Office of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) successfully argued that Mackenzie operated a filming studio without a valid license and distributed unclassified films.
The controversial pastor’s legal woes extend beyond the film controversy. He faces allegations related to the Shakahola ‘massacre,’ where numerous church members died after prolonged fasting.
The charges include terrorism, kidnapping, and murder. Mackenzie and his co-accused have spent over 200 days in custody.
In response to these troubling events, the Senate ad hoc committee, led by Tana River senator Danson Mungatana, recommended freezing Mackenzie’s accounts.
The committee urged authorities to take action within 90 days, proposing that the frozen assets be used to compensate the families of the Shakahola victims.
Despite the mounting challenges, Mackenzie remained optimistic about his innocence. As the legal proceedings unfold, the nation watches closely, grappling with the complex intersections of faith, law, and the tragic events surrounding Good News International church.