A controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie linked with the death of two fasting children has been released on a Sh10,000 bond by a Malindi court.
The 47-year-old pastor appeared before Malindi Resident Magistrate Olga Onalo after the investigating officer requested time to conclude investigations.
It is alleged that between March 16 and March 17 this year, Mackenzie starved the children and several others by forcing them to fast at his farm in the Chakama area in Magarini Sub County, Kilifi County.
Those who died, the court heard that were buried at the farm and their shallow graves flattened to conceal evidence.
The Investigating Officer Joseph Yator asked the court to remand Mackenzie for 15 days to allow him to conclude investigations.
However, Mackenzie’s lawyer Elisha Komora told the court the investigating officers had failed to link his client with the deaths.
Elsewhere, Malindi Sub County Director of Investigations Charles Kamau told journalists that his officers stormed a farm in Chakama after getting information children were being starved to death.
He added that the spiritual leader, Mackenzie was arrested adding that the suspect was once arrested and charged and he closed his church in Malindi before relocating to Chakama.
Kamau said that his officers rescued two couples who were about to die and rushed them to the Malindi Sb County hospital.
By Treeza Auma
Treeza Auma is a Digital Content Producer and founder of https://www.ktmn.co.ke KTMN She is also Television journalist at Kenya News Agency and Leadership Accelerator at Women in News.
IAN BYRON