Family mourns kin who starved to death in 'special prayers' saga

Tabitha Mukhulu holds a picture of her son Ferdinand Muhanji who died from starvation at Pastor Paul Mackenzie's church in Malindi. [Mumo Munuve, Standard] A family is mourning the death of their son who died from starvation at a church in Malindi. The church is headed by Pastor Paul Mackenzie. According to Tabitha Mukhulu, mother to Ferdinand Muhanji, 32, he took his two younger brothers James Lusekha, 27, and Kevin Musalakani, 21, then travelled to Malindi secretly two weeks ago for 'special prayers'. Mukhulu in an interview with The Standard at their home in Ebukondi village, Lurambi Constituency said that on April 1, they tried reaching them in vain as they had switched off their phones, prompting them to start looking for them. "They informed one of the family members that they were going for prayers in Nairobi led by their elder brother, Muhanji." She added: "We had searched for them all over until last Friday when my daughter, who lives in Nairobi told me that she had seen one of her brothers (Kevin Musakalani) among the followers of Pastor Mackenzie on TV being rescued by the police." Mukhulu said that evening she received the shocking news that Muhanji had lost his life after he succumbed to starvation. They were informed that his body had been taken to Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary upon which they sent an uncle, who confirmed that is was her son. The hospital is demanding Sh14,000 for the mortuary charges before the body is be released to the family. "The whereabouts of his younger brother, James Lusekha is unknown while Musalakani is in police custody but is very weak and needs urgent medical attention," said Mukhulu. Pastor Mackenzie of Good News International Church has since surrendered to the police after four of his followers died after being subjected to starvation in the name of prayer and fasting. Police rescued 15 people in Shakahola village in Magarini Constituency. Muhanji's mother also said that her son left for the prayers with his wife whose whereabouts remain unknown. "Muhanji's wife had a two-year-old child belonging to her sister, and we also don't know where the child is." "I'm distressed, I don't where the wife of my late son and the young child are," said Mukhulu, adding that the government should intervene and ensure those responsible for the death of her son are held prosecuted. Mukhulu is now calling on the government to assist the family in transporting Muhanji's body to Kakamega for burial. He was employed by the Board of Management as a Geography and Kiswahili teacher in one of the local schools in Kakamega. Geoffrey Muhanji, 27, a twin brother to James Luseka, who had also travelled to Malindi for the prayers and is missing, said they were led to Pastor Mackenzie's church bya local, but his identity is unknown. Francis Shikokoti, an uncle to the three brothers, described the incident as a tragedy for the family, and want the police to arrest and file charges against the said pastor. "We have lost one child in the name of prayers, and we are unhappy with how things are happening at a slow pace. We want Mackenzie behind bars and for the government to release one of the boys, who is still in police custody," said Shikokoti. Shirere Ward Community Area Administrator Benedict Likhanga assured the family that the county government of Kakamega will help them to get their sons back home.

Family mourns kin who starved to death in 'special prayers' saga

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