Editor's Review

"There is no difference between Mr Mackenzie who pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal."

President William Ruto has broken his silence on the Kilifi cult that has been linked to controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie.

Speaking during the passing out parade of Prisons cadets in Ruiru, the President compared Pastor Mackenzie's religious activities to that of terrorists.  

"What we are seeing in Kilifi, Shakahola is akin to terrorism. There is no difference between Mr Mackenzie who pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal," he said. 

The president went on to say that Pastor Mackenzie's conduct renders him a jail subject.

"Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mackenzie are using religion to do the same thing." Let me say for the avoidance of doubt that people like Mackenzie and all other terrorists and criminals do not belong to any religion, they belong to jail and that is where they should be." 

Controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie. PHOTO | COURTESY

Remarks by the President come even as the number of bodies exhumed from shallow graves at a farm owned by Mackenzie hit 47.

Police have said that over 90 graves have been spotted at the farm and police are already working to exhume the bodies.

Mackenzie who has been linked to the cultish belief of people fasting to their death in order to meet Jesus is being held in police cells.

Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kithure Kindiki has condemned the deaths and termed them as a massacre.

The CS will tour the farm on Tuesday to assess the situation.