Eight children, aged between 6 and 14, have been rescued from a home in Malindi, Kenya, where they were allegedly being starved and forced to follow extremist teachings. The children were rescued by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday afternoon. They were found inside the home of Anastacia Mumwele, the mother of controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie. According to reports, the children were being denied food and forced to follow teachings related to Mackenzie's beliefs about the end of the world.
The rescue operation was carried out after detectives received information that the children were being mistreated. An officer from the DCI, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the children were being held captive and denied basic necessities. The officer added that the children were taken to the Malindi Police Station, where they would be handed over to the Child Protection Unit. The unit is expected to take care of their welfare and relocate them to a safer environment.
Five of the rescued children are believed to be Mackenzie's own children. The DCI officer said that Mumwele would be detained until she is charged in court on Thursday. She faces charges related to child cruelty, torture, and denying children the right to education. The children's rescue comes over two years after Mackenzie was arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of over 400 people in the Shakahola massacre.
Mackenzie's son, Dan Mackenzie, reported the matter to the police after some of his relatives and cousins refused to eat. Dan said that he discovered that the children were not attending school and were being forced to follow extremist teachings. He claimed that the children's condition was not critical, but they had been given food before being taken into police custody.
The Shakahola massacre is a case in which over 400 people died, and Mackenzie is facing 191 charges of murder in connection with the incident. He is also charged with manslaughter in connection with 52 other deaths related to the Kwa Binzaro massacre. Additionally, Mackenzie faces charges of terrorism and spreading extremist ideologies.
The Kenyan authorities have been working to crack down on extremist groups and individuals. In recent months, there have been several high-profile cases of individuals being arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses. The government has also been working to provide support to victims of extremist groups and to prevent radicalization.
The rescue of the eight children is a significant operation in the fight against child abuse and extremism in Kenya. The authorities have urged anyone with information about extremist activities or child abuse to come forward and report it to the relevant authorities. The case will continue in court, and the children will receive support and care from the relevant authorities.
Key points
- Eight children, aged 6-14, were rescued from a home in Malindi, Kenya, where they were allegedly being starved and forced to follow extremist teachings.
