Kenya's deadly televangelist | The Listening Post

For the past four months, Kenya has been dealing with the fallout of a shocking story.
It centres around a televangelist - Paul Mackenzie - who reportedly led hundreds of his followers to their deaths by telling them that the world was coming to an end.
Should the authorities have done more to contain Mackenzie’s doomsday preachings?
If so, how would that square with the right - constitutionally protected in Kenya - to freedom of speech and religion?
Televangelism is on the rise in Kenya, where 85% of the population is Christian.
The Listening Post’s Nic Muirhead reports on the tragedy that’s come to be known as ‘The Shakahola Massacre’.
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[@historychannel365]

This is a con; it is not Christian. It is completely at odds with the authentic Word of God.

[@mohamedkajiado8820]

But when a Muslim man does the same you label him on Islam but when it comes to a Christian you distance him from his faith shenzi

[@senyongaeric1948]

Which is the authentic word of God..

[@salimwheatgrass6711]

Illuminati

[@SA-pb4nb]

The hypocrites will still claim “only Islam is dangerous” because they never admit there are wrongdoers in every religion

[@beataplaya]

It's also important to point out that some of these Christian groups are are getting rich, the leader richer. More like an investment group than for religious purposes.

[@NayraVlogs.297]

​​@@beataplayabcoz they ask people to collect donations in order to purify themselves people paid yet this money are what make them rich and they will sell the life of people to lucifer those pastors they know Islam is the right religion yet they misguide people over their greedy they don't want to be united l recommend once you follow Islam you will never lose your Christianity and your become more practising than before

[@Amincade1995]

True every religion got bad people who hide behind religion

[@CameliaKay9804]

True

[@mesta4314]

Wrongdoers can be found in every corner of the world, a testament to the imperfections woven into the fabric of humanity.

[@henrykihika]

As a Kenyan am very ashamed this happened in Kenya 🇰🇪. The fact is that churches need to be regulated and Kenyans need to stop acting silly and being brainwashed easily by so called prophets and evangelists.

[@bellaolum9768]

No need to be ashamed, these things happen all over the world. Infact America has.had worse cultic incidences!

[@alexandermutune6131]

What is the shame about?

[@robinwangai3303]

Agreed. And the fact that the government is doing very little about this because of the fear of restricting freedom of religion is not a good excuse. There were red flags from the beginning of this scandal (Mackenzie encouraging minors to leave their education + his first bail from this), but little was done to stop what he would have done next.

[@cabritacabur2401]

You can’t regulate spirituality neither God, thats an abomination, no wonder the wrath of God is come upon the earth

[@cabritacabur2401]

God is in authority not man, so you have no power to regulate any principle of Christ or else you mock God, do something else

[@stevemacks]

Sad indeed. I wonder how it went on for so long under our nose. 😢

[@victorosong]

In my country 🇰🇪 politicians and religious leaders are in the same WhatsApp group. Even the current president campaigned by donating money to churches.

[@ZeediKiflom-hu3xk]

Its an epidemic in Africa.

[@ywc024]

As a Kenyan and one from coast, I am ashamed this happened.

[@bellaolum9768]

Why should you be ashamed?

[@alexandermutune6131]

Why are you ashamed?You don't need to.His followers are the ones who should carry the shame.

[@RwachiryoraWema]

Sasa wewe nini inakusumbua mtu akuje akwambie ukulele unende kuona mungu utaenda

[@tuforu4]

@@alexandermutune6131 i am ashamed for KENYA.

[@alexandermutune6131]

@@tuforu4 Don't be ashamed.Let the 'killer pastor carry his own cross including blame

[@zeefoxx3855]

So sad... the evils of religion, when will our people get wise.

[@bowattanga]

what happened in Shakahola was very disturbing.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@antonygikaru10]

Why would you listen to someone telling you to take your own life??????

[@wakigochi1023]

Poverty, desperation and not using their brains takes them there

[@saifsawafi2773]

I can see similarity between Paoul Makenzy and Jim Jonnes of peoples temple.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

May Allah guide them and all of us ameen

[@hellenwanjiru7965]

Allah is worse

[@dennomuli]

Nope

[@halfevilhalfgood2206]

The most deadly than this person.😅

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@halfevilhalfgood2206 God is not a man, monkey, cow or elephant

[@VigilanteMian]

They truly need Islam.

[@TheTororist]

2:51 you definitely edited whats on the tv

[@stefanjohansson2373]

6:44 Maybe 320 TV-stations is the problem? 🤔 Having 1/10 of that would be enough and also possible to monitor. I just hear excuses…

[@mosesototi2444]

I don't like chiloba but on this I agree with him, it's a very delicate balance between the constitution and reality, reason why we still have rogue many pastors worse than mackenzie still active and on tv

[@faithgathigia6341]

4:27 I really wish they could have used subtitles instead and let us, who understand the language, listen to the story from the horse's mouth.

[@Jiulize]

Oh my😢 did Msando killer just laugh during the interview, Mr Chiloba what is there to laugh about shakahola Massacre 😢.

[@sayutiadnan5066]

This is very common in west Africa

[@segniw2]

West African thieves turn into pastors and this poor,weak minded and people of God gets fooled first.

[@sakumunalakamanqanqax]

The truth is people watch the TV/media stations which they like so it is illogical to expect people to report inconsistencies in the broadcast programmes of stations they enjoy

[@injiliILIVIO]

Switch the next tv if you don't like makenzi after all you are mature to make a decision

[@brandnewchristian777]

Jesus did not come to make people rich. He came to save sinners. Repent and believe the good news. All this man said was NOT in the bible. This is why we must never listen to men who say they have a direct message from God. The only direct message from God is in the word of God. I pray for the families who have lost loved ones to this false teacher and that they may find peace in the true teaching of Jesus!

[@Abu-Yazid22]

So who are the true preachers today we should follow in Christianity?

[@brandnewchristian777]

@@Abu-Yazid22 That's a good question. For me I watch John MacArthur and other reformed preachers. I also like listening to old sermons from Charles Spurgeon and George Whitfield who were also reformed.

[@Abu-Yazid22]

@@brandnewchristian777 let me say something my friend. When you say reformed to me it means innovated. But leave that to the side. Are their poor Christian’s all over the world? And if so how much is that John MacThief worth? And let me do just a little investigation on Charles southern and George Whitfield.

[@elishatotolela3843]

You are absolutely right

[@elishatotolela3843]

​@@Abu-Yazid22you yourself. God gave us everything and the bible says it what you are looking for you have it already it's only for you to discover you have powers to do anything you want for your life

[@latashasmith1778]

Jesus warned about false teachers and false prophets. Apostle Paul urged many to be like the Berean’s. This is sad but always check what a Pastor says with the New Testament especially. RIP to those who lost their lives.

[@nlocnil3602]

There's still 600 missing 😮

[@bellaolum9768]

That's huge!

[@samuelkiragu7416]

Probably more 😢😢😢😢😢

[@vostimbuguss9371]

the industry of selling faith and hope in kenya is very huge

[@historychannel365]

Simply wonderful, this!

[@georgesagwe6703]

If education is evil how then did he learnt that English is using to communicate to his audience .he is just depravity man

[@jamesmia839]

Were here the exumers it's really hurts.

[@Greatblakhoosh]

Chiloba seems to be having a grand ol time discussing his organization's failures.

[@aikotoba99]

It's all horse *#*#. People want easy answers but there are no easy answers. If you're going to believe in something, start out by believing in yourself.

[@mwanikinjeru3326]

Did this guy really believe he would never be caught at some point? Or for how long did he think this would continue?

[@jambatvee3803]

Unfortunately he’ll be released coz they’ve found nothing illegal yet

[@deniesnduatimwangi661]

Psychopaths never suspect they would be caught, check Unabomber

[@RwachiryoraWema]

Pastors are politicians nothing will happen to him...even ezekiel is one

[@TheTororist]

yes, but they cannot really charge him with any crime

[@Kakwasi]

The government took too long to act.

[@johng2996]

Sad this happened and may the lost souls RIP 🌹, people perish for lack of knowledge, believers are supposed to test and weigh the message they are being fed with not just follow without questioning. Also the security system failed big time.

[@tebogo63]

Not when you're under the spell.Only God can save you.

[@MrEricdraco]

The parcel of land 'Shakahola' where the murderous acts took place was meant to be a commemoration ground to celebrate the Mijikenda chief Mekatilili wa Menza who really posed a struggle against the British colonialists. (Giriama is one of the nine tribes of the Mijikenda group) Shakahola in the Giriama language is supposed to mean 'problems are now over' where the word Shaka translates to problems while Hola translates as the end of something. This man turned a sacred ground into a cursed one. Kenya's very own Rev Jim Jones 😂 Karibu Kenya Karibu Kanairo

[@Pirate_Patriot]

😂😂😂

[@lillianabuoro6837]

😂Sio Masaai Mara tu!

[@tuforu4]

KENYANS are not shocked..

[@bowattanga]

interesting revelation indeed.

[@davidmanyasa5848]

The Mark Kariuki's of this world. They are so close to William Ruto.

[@Derrowssi]

Look at this now! so what was Raila doing visiting prophet Ezekiel oduor who has equally killed the same? Imagine a so called leader visiting such people! Useless Raila people!

[@peterwairegi450]

What has he done, I'm not aware, I must be behind in news.

[@samtheuri8248]

50+ percent of Kenyans living in urban settings can attest that at some point we held our TV's and prayed with a particular televangelist 😂😂 That guy made it feel like he's talking to you

[@oscarkamanda3301]

Not true..

[@christinenduku5475]

You and who

[@3D4FUN]

Never done this

[@kizitossembatya5855]

you and who? speak for yourself please

[@gidd]

Always speak for only yourself

[@nicecafe5971]

We also had the kibwetere cult here in Uganda in 1999, where people were burnt to death because they thought that the world was coming to an end in 2000.

[@annea5781]

😢

[@Mezowa1001]

slightly disapointed no one has interviewed Mackenzie so far.... we need his side of the story just hear his narrative

[@jopixstudio]

MY almighty God have mercy on us the scriptures say they perish due to lack of knowledge

[@jaklovon6343]

The whole logic behind it was , in order to reach heaven, you should leave everything behind, go to the wilderness and deprive yourself of everything including food., that's why it was easy to sell. He manipulated the scriptures and charismatically fed a delusional to masses.

[@allanandliftedhands2669]

Kenya we need to wake up about religion

[@ALIEN....151]

They're SHEEP 🐑.

[@hereistand6178]

Miracles it what drives people everywhere whether be it Africa or Europe. People are after miracles not the word of God not knowing that even the Devil makes miracles

[@mallismills4342]

Chiloba got it wrong when he said they rely on viewers complain for the CAK to suspend the channel...this is where all went wrong because by the use of media he attracted a lot of vulnerable and desperate viewers who did not deserve to loose theirs lives in a sadistic way...

[@elishatotolela3843]

Truth

[@abrahamtirorastogiceo8042]

They should deploy NIS to collect and manage Intel for them to take action

[@mosesototi2444]

I don't like chiloba but on this I agree with him, it's a very delicate balance between the constitution and reality, reason why we still have rogue many pastors worse than mackenzie still active and on tv

[@helixade842]

Every coin has two sides. Here in Kenya, makeshift stories aka story za jaba are more than the reality.

[@francisssali2550]

Feedback from the Communications Authority Officer is very unbelievable. How can you even show that level of incompetence publicly like that. So Mr Sir, you mean the innocent must be made prey just because you're ready to keep wearing your courts and withdraw your monthly salary without even working for it. You're there to make statements just but no solution at all. Why are you even in that position!!?

[@evansoraro8574]

Do you know kitawaramba

[@mumbimumbi5950]

Africa we were good without religion now see

[@CompassionateEyes]

Please do your research well. Christian missionaries brought a reform in the education in Africa.

[@puffythecampfireplayer6143]

“He is thought to have told them the world is ending…” It sounds like someone is making up lies to get the pastor in trouble. The woman who supposedly killed her 2 children needs to be interrogated.

[@cros34]

You're hopeless

[@puffythecampfireplayer6143]

@@cros34 I am full of hope! It’s in Christ Jesus, the son of the living God!

[@mwanikinjeru3326]

You are mental! More than 400 people confirmed dead and counting and you think "someone is making up lies"

[@teddymurigi7064]

It's not hearsay. It was broadcast live on his TV station, you can look for the footage. Unless you're trying to be funny, I don't know how you can absolve him of blame when more than 300 of his followers wind up dead in his estate and he fails to report these deaths to the authorities.

[@puffythecampfireplayer6143]

@@teddymurigi7064 You’re probably right. I just don’t believe the news until they have all the facts together.

[@kingsleyade6259]

Why is the Al-Jazeera telling our story as Kenyans not the local TV?... Wake up Kenyan Media

[@joycengugi4703]

Poverty leaves people desperate while kenya belongs to less than 10 people, corruption, misuse of funds that can be used to create jobs and so on.

[@danielngove]

What a shame to Kenya... Expose of a rotten nation

[@thomazmedia7342]

It's a rotten nation can you pin your location😂😂

[@annmwanzia3221]

😂kindly pin.

[@thomazmedia7342]

@@annmwanzia3221 Uyo jamaa akumbuke kudrop location next time the internet is boring right now 😂😂🤣🤣

[@trizawanyama1031]

Drop pin

[@samuelthiga4776]

What this people do,they single out a common problem within the community like health issues, poverty,then come tell people they can offer solutions,,that's how cultism starts..and a lot of people fall victims.

[@cabritacabur2401]

Fools say they know, but the wise keep quiet, judging Mackenzie as wrong without a prerequisite of him being a strange sent servant, ASSUREDLY I SAY TO YOU THIS IS THE LAST SERVANT SENT BY JESUS CHRIST, the message of love and mercy has reached the climax, the close of history is coming and the world will know who it has mocked

[@michaelmuli265]

kenya has done it again

[@Ajey-g1b]

Kenyan media blocked but international media allowed. Informative though

[@abelmakori]

Amazing and Kenyans journalist are not allowed inside

[@CarlosVega-wl2pm]

Now tell me about Marx being wrong about religion.

[@LeeSentosa]

He was

[@15moners66]

Religion is the opium of the people: this saying of Marx is the cornerstone of the entire ideology of anything critical about religion. All modern religions and churches even pastors, all and of every kind of religious organizations are always considered by those as the organs of hate filled and violent reaction, used for the protection of the exploitation and the stupefaction of the freethinking and even well-educated people.

[@kingmaafa120]

Africans are naturally (spiritual) ppl 👍

[@georgeodhiambo598]

Excessive and unbridled spirituality comes with low education and exposure. Ignorance feeds blind belief and on that foundation, spirituality thrives.

[@kofakofa6216]

Why almost all such cases are in Christian churches

[@yasminsuleiman5589]

As a Kenya i have naver seen someone like this ( umbwa sana)

[@bigdadidavid]

I am a Kenyan full of shame😢. Question remain why us. Why only in Africa we call a human being,the highest prophet,why only in Kenya we find jesus but . Why only in Kenya ,have Jehovah wanyonyi. Whhhhhhyy the government allow this.

[@bellaolum9768]

You can't control what people choose to believe

[@RECOLONIZE_RIGHT]

*The GOSPEL IS UNSTOPPABLE!*

[@cros34]

To free fall...... 😂 agree👹

[@babymonalisa]

The gospel of child rape and child killing? Why are young people leaving the church, if its unstoppable?

[@catherinegathecha]

This is NOT GOSPEL!!!! 😡😡😡

[@RECOLONIZE_RIGHT]

@@catherinegathecha I know.. but they somehow tried to use this guy story to taint the true Gospel... *The Gospel is about life*

[@SA-pb4nb]

Because of that the most well known line is always postet from Africa: When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. (Desmond Tutu)

[@totonow6955]

Poli sana

[@mburulucky9580]

Religion is worse thing ever happened to humanity

[@sbeast64]

Debatable. How many deaths in the 20th century under atheists?

[@rahelmmari3751]

I agree

[@rosemarymunyi5035]

Truth

[@mburulucky9580]

@@rosemarymunyi5035 we must go back to our traditional

[@15moners66]

Religion is the opium of the people: this saying of Marx is the cornerstone of the entire ideology of anything critical about religion. All modern religions and churches even pastors, all and of every kind of religious organizations are always considered by those as the organs of hate filled and violent reaction, used for the protection of the exploitation and the stupefaction of the freethinking and even well-educated people.

[@MicroDrawss]

The reason I stopped watching TV

[@peteroduor1018]

The devil can be ua friend but not for long ,he will flee and leave u exposed !!

[@kingsaitabau1272]

He is not a TELEVANGELIST!!!

[@15moners66]

3:35 LOL! What language is this?!

[@injiliILIVIO]

AM HAPPY YOU WERE FIRST CALLED BY THE POLICE. YOU WERE SHOWN You NEVER WITNESSED I LOVE THE DRAMA THE WORLD. Government WITH TO MEET YOU THERE IS A POINT YOU ARE MISSING AM HAPPY YOU WERE FIRST CALLED YOU ARE REPORTING REPORTED SPEECH AM LOOKING FOR YOU BUT AS A JOURNALIST you CAN NOT GIVE ONE SIDE OF THE STORY AM LOOKING FOR YOU THE WORLD SHOULD BE TOLD BOTH SIDE ABOUT THIS FATHER OF FAITH ASIFIWE. YESU CHRISTO MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT STOP DRAMA

[@teddymurigi7064]

Which side of the story do you want to listen to? The side that justifies taking one's life to meet 'Jesus'? The side that argues Education is evil?

[@TrippleBeans]

why people with scandals being rewarded? Chiloba

[@cabritacabur2401]

Don’t be ashamed of Jesus Christ

[@tonguesofaccess]

And he was not a televangelist

[@eldios831]

Religion the opium of the masses....😂😂😂😂

[@15moners66]

Religion is the opium of the people: this saying of Marx is the cornerstone of the entire ideology of anything critical about religion. All modern religions and churches even pastors, all and of every kind of religious organizations are always considered by those as the organs of hate filled and violent reaction, used for the protection of the exploitation and the stupefaction of the freethinking and even well-educated people.

[@leahsammy549]

God is the only judge wait for the day is coming

[@VirgoGoddessXxo]

What a wicked man smh why are ppl so gullible and foolish when it comes to “religion” & cults smh the only ppl I feel sorry for are the poor children who became victims to this foolery smh

[@butchfils9464]

Poverty is the cause of all these. When people are poor and hopeless,they turn to God for miracle.

[@teddymurigi7064]

Some of his followers were from privileged backgrounds. They surrendered their belongings to join him in the forest.

[@why4797]

Lack of knowledge , my people because of lack of knowledge

[@mrjensen1135]

It's a big shame that people are taking religion seriously

[@treytill9437]

It is a shame that see this demonic activity as Christian and not a form of heresy!!

[@heletvanblerk4461]

This is not christian its con artists. It is totally opposite to the true Word of God.

[@brandnewchristian777]

Amen

[@sakumunalakamanqanqax]

They are Christians deceiving others for personal gain

[@fredsanke8710]

A black Jim Jones...

[@mesta4314]

People may develop superstitious beliefs as a way of coping with anxiety or uncertainty.

[@tuforu4]

No psychiatrist in KENYA.

[@mesta4314]

@@tuforu4 : Everywhere, not only in Kenya.

[@tuforu4]

@@mesta4314 your very BRAINEY i bet and well travelled.

[@mesta4314]

@@tuforu4 : This is the human condition brother man. May the almighty protect us all from the evil of sneaky whisperers, who whisper to the people, be they the devils or the people. Peace

[@tuforu4]

@@mesta4314 yep we see MACKENZIE SHAKAHOLLA CULT KILLINGS IN KENYA BY PREACHERS IN KENYA.... great example.

[@thetruthonelove8884]

Allahu akbar x3 ☝🏿 ♥️. The Qu'ran is a holy book Written by Allah and prophet Muhammed is the last and final messenger of Allah.

[@sidPalma]

Not "written" The Qur'an is the Speech of Allah and is not created. Barak Allahu alaykum

[@hellenwanjiru7965]

Nonsense

[@halfevilhalfgood2206]

Majority of poor are from peaceful.

[@RwachiryoraWema]

It's not peaceful just don't speak for all but 4 u..Christianity is also peaceful just say pipl use it wrongly...have a relationship with God forget being religious

[@Ubtwa]

New bodies found last week still fresh again at Shakahola!!what is going on yet the Government is at tje seen.

[@bufaa1721]

Kenyas love miracals 😂

[@Mo-is8mb]

Kiliwaramba

[@miketomlin6040]

2023 and some humans still believe in God/s, depressing.

[@UWCom]

Amazing, 2023 and some humans still believe in God. May their God bless them & be respected by even those who don't believe unless of course they can prove there's no after life of which depressingly enough, they can't.

[@nataliebritton8602]

Jesus is the only way to God ✝️🧎🏼‍♀️🥰

[@segniw2]

Thieves turn into pastors and this poor,weak minded people of God gets fooled first

[@Dest74]

They are easy to fool because they've already been fooled into being religious in the first place. Easy targets.

[@segniw2]

@@Dest74 Gets me do mad 😡

[@johnstonedevos]

Chiloba you are very incompetent

[@africansister]

My people die for lack of knowledge says the bible 😢😢

[@fredricklemiso6191]

Kitawaramba 😎

[@RwachiryoraWema]

😅 wacha kiwarambe

[@inasamaale2852]

Pure witch crft

[@dimesiwalk7230]

Acheni Mackenzie buana😅 the killer are all over kenya holding big governmental and nongovernmental offices

[@kenneth-w1j]

Note most of them are women..

[@presentertelence1679]

*BIBLE STATES FALSE ProphetS WILL COME*

[@khalidahmed8050]

False. kenya is not 85% Christian..

[@Dice_KE]

Wafunge zote watuachie nganga(commander) peke yake 😅

[@dionjaba4975]

Circus 😅

[@mahamanneh9815]

So christians worship God by dancing 😂

[@Bojak079]

They want fame They want money They want women The false prophet key traits...

[@tamaduni]

Lazy folk wait for miralcles to happen

[@salimwheatgrass6711]

Illuminati.

[@sohrabtajadin3402]

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