



Controversial televangelist Paul Mackenzie has been arrested over claims of inciting the public against registering in the newly launched Huduma Namba.

The preacher is said to have his congregants that Huduma Namba is satanic.

Huduma Namba, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 2, is aimed at reducing the burden of citizens carrying multiple documents. It consolidates details of the national identity card, Kenya Revenue Authority personal identification number, driving licence, passport, NHIF and NSSF.

Mr Mackenzi, in a sermon on his Times TV, told the public that registering to the Huduma Namba is akin to selling their soul to the devil. The summon was dubbed ‘End Times’.

The preacher likened the Huduma Namba to the apocalyptic beast bearing the mark of number 666.

Detectives led by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Coast regional manager Boniventure Kioko on Thursday raided the Good News International Church in Malindi and confiscated cameras computers and DVDs.

INTERROGATIONS

The televangelist and a number of church officials were also arrested for interrogations.

Mr Mackenzi is already facing charges of religious radicalization, failing to provide basic education to his three children and offering basic education in an unregistered school at Good News International Church.

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Kioko said they have secured court orders to detain the suspect at Malindi Police Station for 21 days to enable police and film experts’ complete investigations.

“He is accused of producing audio visual content for airing in his television namely Times TV without following the outlined procedures,” he said.

“In some of the videos aired in the television, he claims that once a person obtains the Huduma Namba they shall have been sold their soul to the devil,” he said.