Paul Mackenzie Cult Ignites Memories Of Paul Magu Who Killed His Whole Family, Donated His Wealth To Cult Leader
The story of Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the Malindi cult operating as Good News International Church has ignited memories of how another cult led to the death of a fairly at the hands of the husband Paul Magu Muhiu.
So far, authorities have exhumed about 58 bodies of people who died while “fasting to death” in Kilifi’s Shakahola Forest as per instruction from their leader Paul Mackenzie.
To show the severity of cultic indoctrination, similarly, Paul Magu did the unexpected when he killed his entire family and himself after.
According to reports, in 2014, Paul Magu who was a lawyer reportedly killed his wife, Lydia Wangui, and their three children.
Mr Magu was said to have killed his wife, Lydia Magu, and their children Allen, nine, Ryan, eight and Tiffany, six, before taking his own life.
The decomposing bodies of the three children were found dumped near Tatu City in Kiambu County a week after they went missing.
Magu’s mother, Kezziah Wambui, said at the time she believed the deaths of her son, his wife and their children were linked to a cult.
Ms Wambui, a primary school teacher in Thika, said Magu was recruited into the cult by his friend Ann Wanyoro who was the pastor of the church Showers of Praise.
Moreso, reports reveal that Paul Magu left the bulk of all his belongings which included a Lexus, and Parcels of land.
The City lawyer is said to have met the Showers of Praise pastor while she was a teacher and offered to sponsor her son and therefore quit her day job and enrolled for a pastoral certificate that was bankrolled by Magu.
The lawyer’s family said that he disengaged with the family as soon as he started associating with Pastor Wanyoro, His mother, Keziah Wambui had said in an interview that she saw them together and figured that theirs was more than friendship and he later stopped minding the well being of their family.
“I met them on different occasions at the Blue Post Hotel and in Gatundu and after observing how he had changed, I concluded that the two were more than friends,” Wambui said.
Presently, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome made the announcement on Monday when he visited the dense forest in Shakahola, stating that the number comprises of exhumed bodies and those who succumbed on their way to the hospital.
Koome further stated that 29 people have been rescued so far since last week when the exercise began in the 800-acre forest believed to be owned by controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie.
“By yesterday (Sunday), 47 people had been confirmed dead. However, today we have an additional 11, making a total of 58 people confirmed dead. This is out of the bodies exhumed and those who died on the way to the hospital,” Koome said.
The IG disclosed that a team of experts drawn from the National Police Service, including Homicide detectives, other police officers, and government pathologists, are at the site of the crime, conducting investigations and taking part in the exhumation of the bodies.
He added that another team is taking part in the rescue efforts of those who are still within the expansive land and could be alive.
Koome condemned the act and promised to ensure in-depth investigations into the deaths of the victims.
“As NPS, we strongly condemn any form of religious organization that promotes extremist beliefs and operates outside the confines of the law, putting the safety and well-being of Kenyans at risk and violating basic human rights, in this case, the right to life.”
