Trouble is looming after Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa threatened to rally the public to storm a church on claims of propagating radical teachings.
Ms Jumwa alleged that Mr Paul Makenzi of Good News International Church is radicalising children against formal education.
“It is absurd that despite having been arrested and charged, the pastor continues radicalising school children,” she said.
“The community is tired of him. I have received so many complains. Although the case is before the court, people are tired of his extreme religious teachings,” she added.
In September this year, a video clip of children aged between six to 17 renouncing education went viral on social media leading to public outcry.
In October 2017, police officers raided the church, rescued 63 children and arrested Pastor Makenzi and other church members.
Mr Makenzi was later arraigned and charged with promoting radicalisation. He denied the offence and was released on a Sh500,000 bond.
The pastor’s followers include primary and secondary school and university students.
But Mr Makenzi said he strictly follows Biblical teachings. “If anyone feels offended by my summons and teachings, let them go to court and produce evidence. I am not afraid to serve my God,” he said.
In September, a video clip of children aged between six to 17 years renouncing education went viral on social media leading to public outcry.
In the two-minute video clip, one of the boys is heard responding to a question saying education is ungodly as revealed in the holy scriptures.
In October last year, police officers raided the Good News International church and rescued about 93 children.
Pastor Makenzi and some church members were arrested.
The preacher was later taken to court and charged with promoting radicalisation and teaching children in an unregistered school at his church.
He denied the charges and was released on a Ksh.500,000 bond with surety.
During investigations, some of the children interrogated claimed that education is satanic and said they had left their homes and schools to follow the pastor.
The pastor’s followers, who include primary, secondary school and university students, defended their decision to drop out of school, quoting Bible verses.
In October this year, angry residents at Bungale in Magarini, Kilifi County demolished one of Pastor Makenzi’s churches on claims of indoctrinating locals with false Christian teachings.
Locals also razed down pastor Titus Katana’s home, who works for Pator Makenzi at Good News International church at Majengo ya Wakala village in Bungale for promoting extremism.