Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Anastasia Mumwele Mackenzie, mother of controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, on Wednesday afternoon and rescued eight children she is accused of withdrawing from school and subjecting to fasting, officials confirmed. The operation targeted Mackenzie’s residence in Malindi town, near the closed Good News International Church, where officers escorted the children and their grandmother to the Malindi Police Station. Preliminary reports suggest the children, aged six to fourteen, were forced to fast three days weekly, though medical evaluations are pending to verify the claims. The raid was led by Homicide Director Martin Nyuguto and Malindi Sub-County Children’s Officer Sebastian Muteti, who cited a report from Mackenzie’s son Dan, alleging the children were not attending school but instead remaining at their grandmother’s home."
The children, five of whom are Mackenzie’s biological offspring and three belonging to relatives, were found at the residence despite mandatory school attendance requirements. Dan Mackenzie, the preacher’s firstborn son, told journalists he reported the matter to police because he believed the children should be in education rather than engaged in what he described as “controversial religious practices” involving fasting. The operation follows mounting legal challenges against Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who leads the defunct Good News International Church. He is central to the Shakahola massacre case, where hundreds of bodies were exhumed from Kilifi County, with prosecutors accusing him of orchestrating mass starvation and radicalizing followers to abandon education and healthcare. Mackenzie faces terrorism, murder, and manslaughter charges in Malindi and Mombasa courts."
The case has reignited scrutiny over religious groups’ influence on child welfare and education. Local authorities emphasized the need to balance religious freedom with legal obligations, while community leaders called for stricter oversight of faith-based institutions. The children’s condition remains under investigation, with officials stating the medical examination will determine if further legal action is warranted. Meanwhile, the arrest underscores the ongoing tension between religious practices and state intervention in cases involving minors."
The incident also highlights broader concerns about the legacy of the Shakahola tragedy, which has left families devastated and authorities grappling with the aftermath of alleged systemic abuse. As the investigation progresses, stakeholders are urging transparency to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents. The Malindi Police Station has not yet released details on the children’s immediate welfare plans, but officials confirmed they are under protective custody pending further review.