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"Mackenzie brainwashed his converts using William Branham's End of Days Theology, and convinced them that starvation could hasten their escape from this life to be with Jesus," detectives from the homicide unit said.<ref name = "pd">{{cite web|url=https://www.pd.co.ke/news/mackenzie-cult-leader-who-led-legions-to-death-178492/|title=Mackenzie: Cult leader who led legions to death|author=Njoka, Sophia|publisher=Peoples Daily|date=27 April 2023|accessdate=28 April 2023|archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425063218/https://www.pd.co.ke/news/mackenzie-cult-leader-who-led-legions-to-death-178492/|url-status=live}}</ref>
"Mackenzie brainwashed his converts using William Branham's End of Days Theology, and convinced them that starvation could hasten their escape from this life to be with Jesus," detectives from the homicide unit said.<ref name = "pd">{{cite web|url=https://www.pd.co.ke/news/mackenzie-cult-leader-who-led-legions-to-death-178492/|title=Mackenzie: Cult leader who led legions to death|author=Njoka, Sophia|publisher=Peoples Daily|date=27 April 2023|accessdate=28 April 2023|archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425063218/https://www.pd.co.ke/news/mackenzie-cult-leader-who-led-legions-to-death-178492/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Authorities conducting autospies identified that some of the bodies were missing organs, and alleged that cult was killing people to harvest their organs and to market them through an extensive network.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/east-africa-news/-some-of-the-shakahola-cult-victims-had-their-organs-missing--4228052|title=Some of the Shakahola cult victims had their organs missing|author=Nation. Africa|publisher=The Citizen|date=May 9, 2023|accessdate=2023-05-09}}</ref>
Authorities conducting autospies identified that some of the bodies were missing organs, and alleged that cult was killing people to harvest their organs and to market them through an extensive network.<ref name = "organs">{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/east-africa-news/-some-of-the-shakahola-cult-victims-had-their-organs-missing--4228052|title=Some of the Shakahola cult victims had their organs missing|author=Nation. Africa|publisher=The Citizen|date=May 9, 2023|accessdate=2023-05-09}}</ref>


===Reactions===
===Reactions===

Revision as of 14:00, 9 May 2023

Good News International Ministries
Logo used on Mackenzie's website
ClassificationNew religious movement
Apocalyptic, anti-Western church movement
OrientationBranhamism
LeaderPaul Nthenge Mackenzie (2003–present)
RegionKilifi County, Kenya
FounderPaul Nthenge Mackenzie
Origin2003
Defunct2019 (Mackenzie's claim)
2023 (police claim)
Official websitegoodnewsintlministries.blogspot.com

The Good News International Ministries (GNIM), commonly known as the Malindi cult and previously as the Servant P. N. Mackenzie Ministries, is a new religious movement based in Shakahola, Kilifi, Kenya, that was founded by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his first wife in 2003.[1]

The group attracted international attention in April 2023 when it was revealed that Mackenzie had allegedly instructed members to starve themselves en masse to "meet Jesus", resulting in the deaths of at least 110 people. The group, often described pejoratively[2][3] as a cult,[1][4][5] is adamantly anti-Western, with amenities such as health care, education, and sports being dismissed as "evils of western life" and with Mackenzie condemning the United States, the United Nations, and the Catholic Church as "tools of Satan". The group also devotes much of its teachings to the end times. They purport to be followers of the End-Time Message of William Branham.[4][6] Homicide detectives working the case said the group was radicalized by Branham's teachings, leading to their deaths.[7]

Mackenzie founded the GNIM in 2003 and accumulated a sizable following, largely due to convincing his followers that he could speak directly with God.[8] Beginning in the late 2010s, Mackenzie's church began to receive a renewed wave of scrutiny regarding the internal practices of the organization.[9] In 2017, Mackenzie and his wife faced several charges relating to the church. He was chastised for inciting students to abandon their education after denouncing it as "ungodly", as well as radicalizing and denying medical care to the children afterwards; several children died as a result and, in 2017, 93 children were rescued by government authorities from the group.[10] After another arrest in 2019, he departed Malindi and headed to the Shakahola forest, where the mass starvation occurred in 2023.

MacKenzie did not join his followers in the mass starvation and has been arrested by authorities.[11]

History

Good News International Ministries was founded in 2003[12] by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, as a small church.[13] Before the founding, Mackenzie worked as a taxi driver in Nairobi from 1997 to 2003, during which he was charged four times for his sermons but was acquitted due to lack of evidence.[14] When the church began to prosper, the duo moved to Migingo Village in Malindi. Mackenzie was able to amass a large following, largely via convincing his congregation that he could personally communicate with God.[15]

In 2016, according to unconfirmed reports, a member of the group sold their property on the island of Lamu to Mackenzie for 20 million KSh. The preacher allegedly used this money[clarification needed] to purchase property in the cities of Mombasa and Malindi as well as two vehicles, and to fund a television station to broadcast his message. This move by certain followers convinced several other members to follow suit, selling their properties and giving money to the church.[15]

In 2017, Mackenzie and his late wife Joyce Mwikamba were charged with promoting radicalization, as well as denying children access to health care and education and running an unauthorized school and television station; the latter precipitated the closure of the television station the following year by the Kenyan Film Classification Board.[16][17] Several children died as a result of the lack of health care, and in 2017, government authorities rescued 93 children from Mackenzie's church.[6] In 2018, he was criticised by community leaders including the then-Malindi MP, Aisha Jumwa,[18] and other activists[19][20] for inciting children to drop out of school, often without parental consent.[21] Mackenzie was acquitted in one of two criminal cases related to these charges on 29 October, 2021, while the other was dropped.[22][23]

In 2019, Mackenzie was arrested for inciting the public against registration for Huduma Namba by likening it to the mark of the beast.[24] He was also accused of brainwashing and abducting children to join his group.[25] Mackenzie was supported during his trial by a number of churches and ministers, including Jesus Christians and other followers of William Branham's teachings. His preliminary hearing is set to take place on 26 June, 2023.[22][26]

It was after this incident that he closed his church in Migingo and moved to a remote commune in Shakahola, preceding the mass starvation event in April 2023.[15]

Teachings

According to the group's website, and news media reports, they purport to be followers of the End-Time Message of William Branham, an informal global network of churches that emerged from Oneness Pentecostalism.[6][4][27][28] Investigators uncovered booklets of Branham's teachings at the commune which were pictured in a news broadcast.[29][30] Mackenzie's YouTube channel contains videos promoting serpent seed teachings, versions of which are used by white supremacists to oppress non-white races and to prevent racial mixing.[28][31] Although serpent seed is descended from Wesley Swift's Christian Identity theology, not all adherents are aware of its racial origins and still implement the teaching in such a way that it prevents racial mixing and enforces racial segregation.[32]

Mackenzie's teachings have been described as placing a profound emphasis on end-time doomsday warnings and as anti-western. Mackenzie railed against the "evils of western life", which includes medical services, education, food, sports, music, and "the uselessness of life". In a song titled "The Antichrist", he denounced the Catholic Church, the United States, and the United Nations as tools of Satan.[15]

Mackenzie believed that the Kenyan biometric ID system called Huduma Namba was the mark of the beast in alignment with the teachings of Branham. He echoed conspiracy theories to his followers, insisting the end of days was imminent.[28]

While a majority of the group's adherents have been Kenyans, some were originally from Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria.[33]

Mass starvation incident

Shakahola Forest incident
Good News International Ministries is located in Kenya
Good News International Ministries
Good News International Ministries (Kenya)
Location of Shakahola
DateMarch 2023
LocationShakahola village, near Malindi, Kenya
Coordinates3°06′43″S 39°33′07″E / 3.112°S 39.552°E / -3.112; 39.552
CauseMass starvation
MotiveMackenzie's followers were instructed to go without food to "meet Jesus"
PerpetratorPaul Nthenge Mackenzie
Organized byGood News International Ministries
Deaths110
Non-fatal injuries39
Missing461
BurialShakahola Forest

In the early weeks of April 2023, a man contacted police after his wife and daughter left Nairobi to join Mackenzie's remote commune in Kilifi County and did not return. When police entered the community to investigate, they discovered emaciated people and shallow graves. Fifteen members of the group were rescued by police; they stated that they had been ordered to starve themselves to death to "meet Jesus". The 15 followers were in poor condition, and four died before they reached a hospital.[34]

Over the following three weeks, police searched the 800-acre (3.2 km2) commune, finding more shallow graves and additional survivors who were starving to death. The first bodies recovered from the graves were mostly children. One of the graves is believed by police to contain the bodies of five members of the same family – three children and their parents. One of the graves had up to six people inside it. Some of the bodies were not buried. Authorities also discovered a number of other emaciated individuals, including one who had been buried alive for three days and was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Local authorities began requesting assistance from other jurisdictions to help with efforts at the commune. Authorities believed that an unknown number of missing people were still hiding in the forest on the commune and evading authorities while continuing to fast. Authorities reported that members of the commune were actively trying to hinder their efforts to find survivors.[17][35][36]

According to testimonies to police, Mackenzie told his followers "the fast would count only if they gathered together, and offered them his farm as a fasting venue. They were not to mingle with anyone from the 'outside' world if they wanted to go to heaven and were to destroy all documents given by the government, including national IDs and birth certificates."[37]

110 deaths have been reported as of 28 April 2023,[38] including eight who were rescued but later died.[23] The majority of deaths were of children, with women being the next largest group, according to Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki.[39] He additionally stated that not all deaths were by starvation; "there were other methods used, including hurting them, just by physical and preliminary observations."[39] The Kenyan Red Cross reported on 30 April that 410 individuals, including 227 minors, are missing.[40][41] This increased to 461 on 2 May.[42][43] As of 26 April, the count of rescued survivors was 39.[44]

Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mweu and 16 other members of the group were arrested by authorities and are being held in police custody as of 7th May 2023.[45]

On 24 April, search teams had to stop digging for bodies until autopsies were completed on the first 90 bodies that were found because the Malindi Sub-County Hospital's morgue was running out of space to store the bodies.[36] On 28 April, it was reported that heavy rain was slowing rescue and recovery efforts.[38]

"Mackenzie brainwashed his converts using William Branham's End of Days Theology, and convinced them that starvation could hasten their escape from this life to be with Jesus," detectives from the homicide unit said.[7]

Authorities conducting autospies identified that some of the bodies were missing organs, and alleged that cult was killing people to harvest their organs and to market them through an extensive network.[46]

Reactions

Kenyan President William Ruto said Mackenzie's beliefs were contrary to authentic religion.[47][48]

Kenyan Interior Ministry Kithure Kindiki said, "This horrendous blight on our conscience must lead not only to the most severe punishment of the perpetrator(s) of the atrocity on so many innocent souls, but tighter regulation (including self-regulation) of every church, mosque, temple or synagogue going forward."[34]

Massimo Introvigne from the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) said, "Mackenzie may be or not be guilty of manslaughter or homicide by preaching fasting to death." He also said that groups, such as the Jesus Christians, who supported Mackenzie and protested against his arrest in 2019 with arguments of religious liberty should not be held responsible or have their religious liberties curtailed.[28]

Second suspected Malindi cult

A second pastor, also based in Malindi, was arrested a few days after the Mackenzie starvation incident occurred. Authorities said Ezekiel Odero, pastor of New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, would soon face criminal charges relating to the mass killing of his own followers.[49] Several deaths were recorded at his church between 2022 and 2023, and police believe those bodies may have been moved to Shakahola Forest.[50] Over 103 followers were evacuated from the church premises and will be expected to give statements. Police have not yet confirmed whether the two groups are linked.[49]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Kenyan authorities find 39 bodies during investigation of religious cult leader". PBS NewsHour. 23 April 2023. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Why "Cults" (and "Brainwashing") Do Not Exist". Bitter Winter. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Is it a cult?".
  4. ^ a b c Dickson, Wakesa (23 April 2023). "Kilifi Cult: Police so far discover 58 shallow graves". Mandy News. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. ^ Obulutsa, George; Shirbon, Estelle (25 April 2023). "Kenya hunger cult deaths reach 89, minister prays survivors will 'tell the story'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Wampui, Peninah (24 April 2023). "11 Things you didn't know about Shakahola Pastor Mackenzie". Mpasho News. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b Njoka, Sophia (27 April 2023). "Mackenzie: Cult leader who led legions to death". Peoples Daily. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  8. ^ "About Us". Good News Ministries. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ "PRESS STATEMENT - PASTOR PAUL MACKENZIE". 27 April 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  10. ^ Okwembah, Nehemiah. "Controversial preacher to close down church". The Standard. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  11. ^ Kimeu, Caroline (2 May 2023). "Kenyan cult leader accused of inciting children to starve to death". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  12. ^ "How did we get here? Questions arise over Malindi cult that has been operating since 2003". Citizen Digital. 22 April 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  13. ^ "'I started a church with Mackenzie, then he ruined our lives': Tale of fight for church and the rise of a cult leader". Nation. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  14. ^ Benard Sanga; Nehemiah Okwembah. "Stalled case of pastor in cult-like deaths exposes cracks in justice system". The Standard. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d Lisimba, Hillary (24 April 2023). "Rise of Pst MacKenzie who 'speaks directly to God' to infamous death cult leader". Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  16. ^ Lwanga, Charles (2 October 2017). "Cleric in extreme teachings case detained". Nation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  17. ^ a b Achieng, Serfine (20 April 2023). "Malindi Cult: Shock As 12 More Graves Discovered, Number Rises To 27". Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  18. ^ Lwanga, Charles (31 December 2018). "Aisha Jumwa threatens to storm Good News Church". Nation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  19. ^ Lwanga, Charles (9 October 2018). "Malindi residents want church opposed to education closed". Nation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  20. ^ Mhubiri matatani kwa mahubiri yake #SemaNaCitizen. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  21. ^ Polisi huko wamtia mbaroni kasisi Paul Makenzi,Anafunza waumini kuwa elimu rasmi ni dhambi. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  22. ^ a b Owino, Winfrey (27 April 2023). "Previous criminal cases against Pastor Paul Mackenzie and Good News International". The Standard (Kenya). Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  23. ^ a b "As cult deaths top 100, second Kenyan pastor arrested over 'mass killings'". ABC News (Australia). 27 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  24. ^ Lwanga, Charles (19 April 2019). "Pastor Paul Makenzi in trouble again". Nation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Couple accuses pastor of holding their four sons". The Standard. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Judiciary releases the status of Paul Mackenzie pending Court Cases". Kenya News Agency. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  27. ^ "About Us". Good News Ministries. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  28. ^ a b c d Introvigne, Massimo (25 April 2023). ""Deadly Fasting" in Kenya: What We Know So Far". Bitter Winter. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  29. ^ ""Number of graves discovered rise to 24 in Shakahola Village". DW News. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  30. ^ Bias, Sarkar (24 April 2023). "39 bodies found on Paul Makenzi, Kenya pastor's land, followers allegedly 'fasted to death'". SpielNews. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  31. ^ "Apple Promo 2". YouTube. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  32. ^ Collins, John (25 April 2023). "Malindi Cult Covertly Spreading White Supremacy in Kenya". William Branham Historical Research. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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  36. ^ a b "Kenya starvation cult death toll hits 90 as morgues fill up: 'Nothing prepares you for shallow mass graves of children'". CBS News. AFP. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023.
  37. ^ Akello, Immaculate (25 April 2023). "Why did 73 Kenyan cult members starve to death?". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  38. ^ a b Kithi, Marion (28 April 2023). "360 people reported missing as heavy rains disrupt Shakahola operation". The Standard. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  39. ^ a b Mersie, Ayenat (28 April 2023). "Children account for majority of Kenyan cult deaths, interior minister says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  40. ^ Kimeu, Caroline (30 April 2023). "'We tried to stop her': Kenyan teenager tells how cult starved his mother". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  41. ^ Wangira, Dorcas (1 May 2023). "Kenya starvation cult: 'My wife and six children followed Pastor Mackenzie'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  42. ^ Ombuor, Rael; Bisset, Victoria (3 May 2023). "Autopsies find some victims of Kenya starvation cult were suffocated". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  43. ^ Mwangi, Wachira; Kalama, Alex (2 May 2023). "Autopsy: Shakahola cult 'strangled', suffocated members". Nation. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  44. ^ "Kenya cult toll climbs to 95 as families await news of missing". France 24. 26 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Shakahola cult: Paul Mackenzie, his wife and 16 followers held 5 more days". Nation. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  46. ^ Nation. Africa (9 May 2023). "Some of the Shakahola cult victims had their organs missing". The Citizen. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  47. ^ Holland, Hereward (24 April 2023). "Death toll in Kenyan starvation cult rises to 73 – police". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Ruto speaks on Shakahola cult: 'Paul Mackenzie belongs in jail'". Nation. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  49. ^ a b France-Presse, Agence (27 April 2023). "Second Kenyan pastor accused of mass killing of followers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  50. ^ Mersie, Ayenat (28 April 2023). "More than 100 died at a religious cult in Kenya. The majority are children, says minister". CBC News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
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