Previous criminal cases against Pastor Paul Mackenzie and Good News International

The Judicial Service Commission has pledged to re-visit all past cases against Good News International and its Pastor Paul Mackenzie.

In a statement by the Judiciary's Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication on Thursday, April 27, JSC will examine cases to ascertain whether any judicial officer was compromised.

"The Judicial Service Commission which is charged with handling disciplinary issues and the leadership of the Judiciary, are examining the records to establish whether there was any misconduct on the part of Judicial Officers and staff who handled the matter. The Judiciary reaffirms its commitment to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law in the administration of justice," the statement reads in part.

In its statement, Judiciary has also highlighted three criminal cases against Paul Mackenzie. He was acquitted in one, the case withdrawn in the other and one is still pending.The cases are as follows:

In March 2017, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, Winne Alexander Gandi and Betty Mwaka were jointly charged with the offence of offering Basic Education in an unregistered institution, contrary to the Basic Education Act.

The accused entered into a plea bargain with the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and were discharged by the trial court and ordered to be of good behaviour.

On October 17, the same year, Paul Mackenzie was charged with four offences.

Radicalisation, offering basic education in an unregistered institution, Failing to take his child to compulsory primary and secondary education and Failing to provide the right to education for a child.

He was accused of failing to take his three children to school. They were aged 13 years, 5 years and 4 years.

Mackenzie pleaded not guilty and the Prosecution opposed bail. The Court ordered that Care and Protection Files be opened for the Children and also a Pre Bail-Report be filed.

Two days after taking a plea, he was granted cash bail of Sh100,000 and an alternative Bond of Sh500,000. He was asked to report to the OCS Malindi each week.

He was acquitted on October 29, 2021.

In April 2019, Mackenzie was charged yet again. This time, with three different charges.

He was Accused of Incitement to disobedience of the law, possessing and distributing films to the public which had not been examined and classified by Kenya Film Classification Board, operating a filming studio and producing films without a valid filming licence from Kenya Films Classification Board.

He pleaded not guilty The Prosecution objected Bail or Bond but the Court declined the Application and granted him a Cash Bail of Sh500,000 and an alternative Bond of Sh1,000,000 with one surety.

The matter is coming up for Defence Hearing on June 26, 2023.

Good News International has also been on a case involving children below 18 years.

This was after 43 Children ranging from 1 year to 13 years, including Pastor Paul Mackenzie's three children, who had been rescued from Good News International Church-Mayungu.

Court was told that the minors had been locked up and were not going to school but receiving religious teachings.

The matter was heard on October 18, 2017. The Children Officer's Report allowed the Children who were being held at Mayungu Children Centre (safe space) to be released back to their families after counselling and medical care.