Organ Harvesting Investigation in Branhamite Cults
Several "Message" cult members have been arrested and several bank accounts have been frozen in what news reports are claiming to be an investigation into the Branhamite sect in Kenya for harvesting organs. "Message" cult pastor Paul Mackenzie was arrested on charges of terrorism[1] after over a hundred dead bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola Forest in Malindi. Mackenzie had brainwashed cult victims into believing that they should transition from this life to the next through mass suicide through starvation, starting with children.[2] Officials in Kenya are expected to resume digging up the mass graves this week. An affidavit by police officer Martin Munene confirms that officials are investigating Mackenzie for organ harvesting, though autopsies of the victims of starvation exhumed thus far show no signs.[3]
Several "Message" cult members have been arrested and several bank accounts have been frozen in what news reports are claiming to be an investigation into the Branhamite sect in Kenya for harvesting organs. "Message" cult pastor Paul Mackenzie was arrested on charges of terrorism[1] after over a hundred dead bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola Forest in Malindi. Mackenzie had brainwashed cult victims into believing that they should transition from this life to the next through mass suicide through starvation, starting with children.[2] Officials in Kenya are expected to resume digging up the mass graves this week. An affidavit by police officer Martin Munene confirms that officials are investigating Mackenzie for organ harvesting, though autopsies of the victims of starvation exhumed thus far show no signs.[3]
Full article here:
https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/news/state-has-frozen-pastor-ezekiel-s-bank-accounts-say-lawyers-4227466
The investigation took an unusual twist when another, non-Branhamite minister named Ezekiel Odera was arrested in connection to Branhamite minister Paul Mackenzie. Twenty-five of Odera's bank accounts were seized over claims of money laundering,[4] criminal activity not uncommon to the "Message" cult. In 2021, "Message" cult leader Vinworth Dayal was arrested on charges of money laundering when $30 million cash was seized from his church and home.[5]
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) claimed the preacher has been receiving huge transactions, suspected to be proceeds of illicit cash. The police said in the application that they suspect the money was from victims who were radicalised and made to sell their properties and gave the proceeds to the preacher. The police also believe that Mr Odera has links to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, who is in custody after more than 100 bodies were retrieved from an expansive farm in Shakahola, where he runs Good News international church. Police officer Martin Munene said in an affidavit that they [are] investigating Pastor Mackenzie over claims of organ harvesting and it is their belief that he is an associate of Pastor Odero.[6]
- Nation.Africa News
The investigation into criminal activity in the "Message" in Kenya appears to be expanding. This week, police officials from Kabete Police Station cordoned off a residential plot in Uthiru, Nairobi County, in what appears to be what "Message" cult members call a "tape home church" or "home church". Many members of Branham's cult of personality meet informally in residences, buildings in residential areas, or rented buildings in town without advertising the group as a "church", playing recordings of Branham or reading quotes from Branham's sermons published by Spoken Word Publications and distributed by Voice of God Recordings in Jeffersonville, Indiana. These groups often slip by unnoticed, not being officially organized and operating as a church with the government.
In the case of the "home church" in Uthiru, five people were arrested. One, functioning as the deacon of the church, appears to have been leading the group. According to Branham's doctrines, the deacon is the "policeman" of the church, which also according to Branham, has the structure of a military unit.[7]
Police officers from Kabete Police Station have cordoned off a residential plot with an unregistered church in Uthiru, Nairobi County. The church is believed to be teaching doctrines of American Christian minister and faith healer William Marrion Branham. Branham, who died in 1965, is claimed to have initiated post World War II healing revival and was allegedly a prophet with the anointing of Elijah of the old testament Bible. Five people have since been arrested. The five are; David kariuki mwangi (Deacon), Pascal Mutua, Joseph Githinji Mutiga, John Kamau Mbugua and Ruphas Kirangu.[8]
- The Standard
References
[1] Malowa, Didacus. Paul Mackenzie Hired Lorry to Move Some Followers to Different Forest, Court Told. 2023, May, 3. Paul Mackenzie Hired Lorry to Move Some Followers to Different Forest, Court Told. Accessed 2023, May, 4 from https://www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/504577-paul-mackenzie-hired-lorry-move-followers-different-forest-court-told. "2023/03/05 Paul Mackenzie Hired Lorry to Move Some Followers to Different Forest, Court Told On Tuesday, May 2, Mackenzie was released by the Malindi court after the magistrate declined a request by the prosecution to hold him for 90 days. However, moments later, the police rearrested him ahead of terrorism charges at Shanzu High Court Didacus Malowa On Tuesday, May 2, Mackenzie was released by the Malindi court after the magistrate declined a request by the prosecution to hold him for 90 days. However, moments later, the police rearrested him ahead of terrorism charges at Shanzu High Court."
[2] Soriano, Jonatan. 'Fasting to meet Jesus': the media case of a deadly cult in Kenya. 2023, May, 4. Evangelicalfocus. Accessed 2023, May, 5 from https://evangelicalfocus.com/world/21826/fasting-to-meet-jesus-the-media-case-of-a-deadly-cult-in-kenya. "2023/04/05 'Fasting to meet Jesus': the media case of a deadly cult in Kenya Jonatan Soriano 'Fasting to meet Jesus': the media case of a deadly cult in Kenya. Accessed 2023, May 5 from https://evangelicalfocus.com/world/21826/fasting-to-meet-jesus-the-media-case-of-a-deadly-cult-in-kenya. Paul Mackenzie was working as a taxi driver in Nairobi when, in 2003, he left the capital to move to the coast and open a small church.'He was following the teachings of William Branham, one of the most controversial Pentecostal leaders of he beginning of the last century. He established the church in his wife's village in Malindi, which is how his group is popularly known', explains José de Segovia, a Spanish theologian, writer and specialist in cults.[1]- Jonatan Soriano, Evangelical Focus"
[3] Organ harvesting not cause of Kenya cult deaths – Autopsy. Accessed. 2023, May, 8. Tvcnews. Accessed 2023, May, 8 from https://www.tvcnews.tv/2023/05/organ-harvesting-not-cause-of-kenya-cult-deaths-autopsy. "2023/08/05 Organ harvesting not cause of Kenya cult deaths – Autopsy. Accessed"
[4] Kiplagat, Sam. State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers. 2023, May, 8. State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers. Accessed 2023, May, 8 from https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/news/state-has-frozen-pastor-ezekiel-s-bank-accounts-say-lawyers-4227466. "2023/08/05 State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers A Milimani court has frozen more than 25 bank accounts and money in MPesa linked to Kilifi preacher Ezekiel Odera over claims of money laundering Sam Kiplagat A Milimani court has frozen more than 25 bank accounts and money in MPesa linked to Kilifi preacher Ezekiel Odera over claims of money laundering."
[5] Achong, Derek. $10 million bail as Pastor Dayal charged with money laundering. CNC3 News. 2021, Jul, 1. Cnc3. Accessed 2021, Jul, 2 from https://www.cnc3.co.tt/10-million-bail-as-pastor-dayal-charged-with-money-laundering. "2021/01/07 $10 million bail as Pastor Dayal charged with money laundering. CNC3 News Derek Achong $10 million bail as Pastor Dayal charged with money laundering. CNC3 News. Accessed 2021, Jul 2 from https://www.cnc3.co.tt/10-million-bail-as-pastor-dayal-charged-with-money-laundering"
[6] Kiplagat, Sam. State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers. 2023, May, 8. State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers. Accessed 2023, May, 8 from https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/news/state-has-frozen-pastor-ezekiel-s-bank-accounts-say-lawyers-4227466. "2023/08/05 State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers. . Accessed 2023, May 8 from https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/news/state-has-frozen-pastor-ezekiel-s-bank-accounts-say-lawyers-4227466 Sam Kiplagat State has frozen Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts, say lawyers. . Accessed 2023, May 8 from https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/news/state-has-frozen-pastor-ezekiel-s-bank-accounts-say-lawyers-4227466."
[7] Branham, William. church Order. 1963, Dec, 26. church Order. "1963/26/12 church Order A policeman (or the deacon) is a military police to the army, courtesy, but yet with authority. See? You know what a military police is, is actually, if he carries out his rights, I think he's just like a chaplain. You see? It's courtesy and everything, but yet he has an authority. See, you must mind him. See, he puts... These rookies get out there and get drunk, why, he puts them in their place. And so is the deacon to put them in their place. Now, remember, the deacon is a policeman, and a deacon's office is actually more strict than most any office in the church William Branham A policeman (or the deacon) is a military police to the army, courtesy, but yet with authority. See? You know what a military police is, is actually, if he carries out his rights, I think he's just like a chaplain. You see? It's courtesy and everything, but yet he has an authority. See, you must mind him. See, he puts... These rookies get out there and get drunk, why, he puts them in their place. And so is the deacon to put them in their place. Now, remember, the deacon is a policeman, and a deacon's office is actually more strict than most any office in the church."
[8] Wangari, Stephanie. Police Arrest 5 Suspected Cult Members in Nairobi Church. 2023, May, 7. Police Arrest 5 Suspected Cult Members in Nairobi Church. Accessed 2023, May, 8 from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/nairobi/article/2001472464/police-arrest-5-in-cult-like-church-in-nairobi. "2023/07/05 Police Arrest 5 Suspected Cult Members in Nairobi Church Police Arrest 5 Suspected Cult Members in Nairobi Church. Accessed 2023, May 8 from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/nairobi/article/2001472464/police-arrest-5-in-cult-like-church-in-nairobi Stephanie Wangari Police Arrest 5 Suspected Cult Members in Nairobi Church. Accessed 2023, May 8 from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/nairobi/article/2001472464/police-arrest-5-in-cult-like-church-in-nairobi."