President William Ruto has finally broken his silence on the Kilifi Shakahola ‘fasting cult’ that resulted to a massacre, terming it as terrorism.
Speaking on Monday, the president said the perpetrators belonged in jail, for using religious beliefs and teaching to justify law breaking.
“What we are seeing in Kilifi, Shakahola is akin to terrorism. There is no difference between Mr. Mackenzie who pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal,” he said.
“Terrorist use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mackenzie are using religion to do the same thing… Let me say for the avoidance of doubt that people like Mackenzie and all other terrorists and criminals do not belong to any religion, they belong to jail and that is where they should be.”
Also Read: Shocking Religious Cult Leaves 11 People Hospitalized and 4 Dead
Ruto further instructed responsible agencies to probe further into the cult and establish the root cause, clarifying that the cult leaders had to be stopped from using unacceptable ideologies in the Republic of Kenya, which are causing unnecessary loss of lives.
He insisted that if any religious group preaches against the tenets of the constitution, those responsible should be prosecuted.
Ruto’s remarks come ahead of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome’s expected visit to the site to boost the ongoing probe and exhumation of the bodies.
The controversial preacher, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, is in custody, pending a court appearance.
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