CITAM condemns pastor Mackenzie’s actions, terms it misinterpretation of scripture

Speaking on Hope TV on Monday, CITAM presiding Bishop Calisto Odede called on the government to properly investigate the actions, which have led to the loss of more than 70 lives.

“It is a case of misinterpretation of the scripture. We have an individual enforcing fasting without following biblical regulation,” Odede said.

“If he was a responsible person, he needed to have accepted the fact that people lost their life... and gone to the government to confess rather than secretly burying their bodies. When he has done that secretly, it does appear like murder,” he added.

Bishop Odede further emphasised the need for regulation in churches, saying churches under NCCK have been working on a document to enable the self-regulate.

“Unfortunately when this was circulated to Independent churches, they do not want to accept this document that will help us to self regulate,” he expressed his disappointment.

“My prayer is that it will be a document that we can hand over to the government. That a church that does not operate according to those regulations should be dealt with.”

He encouraged Kenyans not to give up on the church because of the few wrong doers.

“These are people who have misinterpreted and are abusing scripture rather than using them the right way. We need to be able to vet the messages we are hearing from some preachers,” he advised.

As of Monday evening, 73 bodies had been exhumed from a gravesite in Shakahola village, Kilifi County, where followers of pastor Mackenzie are believed to have been buried.

The Kenya Redcross has also reported that 212 people have been reported missing at their desk in Shakahola.