Pastors and Imams from Malindi have distanced themselves from the teachings of the Malindi controversial pastor who has been linked to radicalizing children against school education.
The leaders have now given the government a seven-day notice to close down the church.
Addressing the press in Malindi after a meeting, the religious leaders, threatened to demonstrate to the premises of Pastor Paul Makenzi’s church of Good News International Ministries to close it if the government fails to heed their demands in the coming seven days.
Malindi town Member of County Assembly, David Kadenge, who hosted the meeting, said it is not the intention of the residents to close down the church but if the government gives it a deaf ear, they will be forced to do it.
“The pastor was taken to court last year but he was released on unclear grounds and yet the court ruling is dragging. We are reminding the government that power belongs to the people, if Makenzi portrays to know the scriptures more than all these religious leaders, let him be prepared,” Kadenge added.
Pastor John Leiyo said that religious leaders were forced to conduct a meeting not because they are against pastor Makenzi but because they are against his teachings to children.
Pastor Leiyo added, “Makenzi is very stubborn. When a group of pastors and bishops paid him a visit at his church on the same issue, he sent them away, claiming that he cannot address the issue of education for he was sent by God to preach education is evil.”
Mohammed Ali Almud said that Makenzi’s teachings are not only taking roots to the Christians but also to the Muslims.
They said that a committee that will seek permission from the security authorities and oversee the entire process has been formed and that they will not be deterred from their course.
This comes barely a week since a video, of children holding bibles claiming to be followers of Makenzi’s church vehemently claiming to have dropped from school for it is against God’s plan and scriptures, doing rounds in social media.
Residents of Malindi have been decrying of Pastor Makenzi’s teachings that have seen a considerable number of children dropping out of school on the bases that school education is evil and opposite to God’s plan.
Pastor Makenzi was in October last year arrested and charged for radicalizing children and later released on bail.