Pastor Paul Makenzi when he appeared before court. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
A preacher who was arrested alongside 20 of his followers in Malindi for allegedly radicalizing children through extreme religious teachings has been detained for 15 days. According to the Nation, the cleric, Mr Paul Makenzi, was detained after the prosecution through Counsel David Fedha on Monday told the court that he is likely to interfere with the witnesses. Chief Magistrate Julie Oseko directed police to detain the preacher who ministers at the Good News International Church and his followers at the Malindi Police Station for the said duration.In a sworn affidavit, the police through Mr Collins Mukhongo had requested for 30 days to investigate the matter, citing complexity of the case.The police also said the man and his followers are being investigated over running a television station and school without a license.Mukhongo argued that there was need to consult different parties including parents, the Interior Ministry, the National Council of Churches, the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Ministry of Education."The suspects were arrested at the Good News International Ministries Church and 73 children aged between two and 17, suspected of undergoing radicalisation, were rescued,” said Mukhongo.In his defense, the suspect through his lawyer James Mouko denied the charges leveled against him saying there is not enough evidence to convict him.“A court of law works on evidence presented to warrant the application,” said Mouko, as quoted by the local daily.The court, however, ruled that a 15 days period is enough for the prosecution to complete investigating the matter.