The situation concerning embattled Malindi pastor alleged to preach ‘education is evil’ remains unclear after a meeting that summoned the pastor and the committee formed to follow up on the matter failed to produce clear results following tough demands from the pastor.
Speaking in Malindi at a dialogue meeting with religious leaders, the controversial pastor, Paul Makenzi of Good News International Ministries who graced the meeting invitation alongside his supporters said the discussion cannot be held on various grounds.
Makenzi said, “there is a pending case on this issue that is also involving the Malindi OCPD. Also, those children who have been affected by my teachings are not here. I want them to be here alongside their parents so that they can respond to questions from me.”
He added that neither he nor his church has restricted anyone from education and if there is anyone avoiding school it is because they are understanding God’s true faith and believing that education is truly a devil affair, hence they willingly decide to drop out of school.
On why he has been running a church that is not registered, the pastor said it was not a must for the church to be registered, adding that he did so, later, because he willingly wanted to give the government revenue.
The pastor has alleged other pastors of defaming him for holding meetings behind his back where they spread in the media that he is preaching the wrong faith.
“I will sue pastors because of this matter. Everyone who appeared or heard in media defaming me will not be spared,” Makenzi added.
Bishop Thomas Kakala of JCC who has been alleged to be the leading critic of Makenzi stormed out of the heated meeting claiming the one who invited him misled him.
Kakala said, “I want to make records straight. Makenzi has never been a follower of my church neither do I have bitterness with him. I am 62 years old, hence I have a status to maintain. I am not part of this meeting.”
Speaking at the meeting, Garashi Member of County Assembly, Peter Ziro, blamed Malindi pastors for failing to be the custodian of the people of Malindi, adding that pastors have turned to haunt one another instead of uniting for the benefit of their followers.
“Pastors, you are allowed to do anything but know that education in all parts of Kenya is not a choice to a child. It remains a must because it is a key right to all children. It is illegal to preach anything against education,” Mr. Ziro added.