Police raided Good News International Ministries Church on September 29, 2017 following reports that Pastor Paul Makenzi made several children drop out of school.
Malindi police boss Matawa Muchangi said his officers nabbed 35 children under the age of 10 years, 28 under the age of 16 years and 13 adults aged 18 to 35 years.
The suspects were said to be undergoing radical training against Christian and moral teachings.
"Police impounded Bibles, Korans, and other books and files that shall assist us in investigation," said Muchangi.
Some of the children who were interrogated, according to Muchangi said "education is satanic" and had left home and school to follow the pastor.
He noted that followers of the televangelist who was well known in the area included primary, secondary and university students who kept on defending their decision to drop out of school, quoting Biblical verses.
"They said education is not godly, as taught by their pastor," said the police boss.Adults arrested were suspected to be the ones assisting the pastor to spread his indoctrinating teachings.
They spread messages saying people should not seek medical care, go to school or participate in elections.
The arrest of the controversial pastor was celebrated by locals who said he was misleading the youth.According to Makenzi, education is evil since it teaches that humankind evolved from apes, contrary to the Bible that says man was created by God.
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