Kenya: No, Photo Doesn't Show Suspected Cult Leader Attending Religious Ceremony at President's Residence

28 April 2023
Africa Check (Johannesburg)
By Grace Gichuhi

IN SHORT: In April 2023 Kenya was gripped by horrifying developments in the coastal county of Kilifi, where dozens of bodies have been exhumed, apparently members of a Christian death cult. But a photo claiming to show the church leader allegedly responsible for these crimes at the presidency months before has been doctored.

The horrific story of dozens of church members starving to death in Kenya, still unfolding at time of publication, has shocked the country.

As of 26 April 2023, ninety bodies had been exhumed from shallow graves in the Shakahola forest in coastal Kilifi County, and the number was expected to rise.

According to media reports, members of the Good News International Church believed that by starving themselves, they would "meet Jesus" in heaven.

Paul Mackenzie, pastor of the church, has been in police custody since 15 April and has refused to eat anything.

In connection with this story, an image claiming to show Mackenzie attending a religious service at Kenya's State House has been making the rounds on Facebook.

Shortly after William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya's fifth president in September 2022, he asked the clergy to "cleanse" the presidential residence during a thanksgiving ceremony.

Following the horrific news out of Shakahola in April 2023, Ruto has those who pose as religious while engaging in behaviour that goes against religious teachings and beliefs will be prosecuted.

So it would be embarrassing for Ruto if Mackenzie was previously at the president's official residence.

The text at the top of the circulating image reads: "MACKENZIE AT STATE HOUSE'S PURIFICATION SERVICE??"

The image with the same claim was also published here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

But does it really show Mackenzie at State House? We checked.

Doctored image

A Google reverse image search shows that the photo was taken on 25 September 2022.

Photos of the event show evangelical leaders at the thanksgiving service at State House. But the man said to be Mackenzie in the version circulating on social media is clearly different.

The image was doctored and there is no evidence the suspected cult leader attended an event hosted by Ruto.

Read the original story, with links and other resources.
Africa Check is a non-partisan organisation which promotes accuracy in public debate and in the media. Twitter @AfricaCheck and www.africacheck.org

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