Kilifi closes 11 churches over radicalisation, lack of registration
The crackdown follows the deaths of more than 484 people linked to cult-related activities in Malindi, including over 450 followers of the Good News International Church.
At least 11 churches in Kilifi County have been closed in the past year for failing to comply with registration requirements and for allegedly radicalising their members, county authorities have confirmed.
The crackdown follows the deaths of more than 484 people linked to cult-related activities in Malindi, including over 450 followers of the Good News International Church, led by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, who died in Shakahola Forest, and 34 others who died in Kwa Binzaro village.
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Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott said the affected churches were from different denominations but declined to share their names.
“We have closed over 11 churches in the past for not meeting the regulations. A church must have registration documents, and the pastor must be qualified,” Biwott said.
He explained that the new directives require all churches to be officially registered before operating. Any preacher intending to open a church must submit all necessary documents for inspection by relevant authorities. Additionally, pastors must have formal theological training before they are permitted to lead a congregation.
“Any pastor who opens a church must provide documentation. Without it, you are not fit to operate,” Biwott said.
“Cult leaders, advocates of religious extremism, fake prophets, and other unscrupulous leaders have also been put on notice.”
Biwott noted that the crackdown has pushed some illegal religious operations into remote areas.
“This has helped us reduce such operations. That’s why some go deep into forests, to avoid being seen,” he said.
He added that the enforcement is ongoing across all seven sub-counties, in collaboration with local leaders and residents.
“We’ve engaged village elders and political leaders to prevent more tragedies like Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro,” Biwott said.
Meanwhile, detectives have uncovered new mass graves in Kwa Binzaro. Exhumations will begin after autopsies are completed on the 34 bodies and 102 body parts recovered so far.
The prosecution has also closed its case against controversial pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and several of his co-accused, who face charges of subjecting children to torture at Shakahola Forest. The accused, including Mackenzie—also known as Mtumishi, Nabii, and Papaa, are alleged to have willfully subjected minors to beatings with sticks and whippings using thorny branches between 2020 and 2023.
The prosecution, led by lawyers Victor Owiti, Alexander Jami and Betty Rudia, called a total of 76 witnesses and presented over 100 exhibits to the court. These included photographs and videos from Shakahola, as well as extracts of WhatsApp communications linked to Mackenzie and his followers.
Sixteen witnesses, including 13 children, testified under protection.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on October 14, 2025, for directions to confirm the readiness of the proceedings.
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