Pastor Paul Makenzi in a past function. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
A Malindi cleric who was arrested for allegedly radicalizing school going children through extreme religious teachings was on Tuesday charged alongside his wife.
According to Daily Nation, The pastor Paul Makenzi and his wife Joyce Mwikamba were charged with promoting radicalization and teaching at an unregistered school at Good News International Ministries Church.
Earlier on, the court had ordered the release of 19 other persons who had been arrested alongside the servant of God on free bond.
The couple is said to have committed the offenses on diverse dates between August 28 and September 29 at the church.
In a sworn affidavit, Corporal Collins Barasa, the prosecution side told the court that the children, who were in 93 in numbers, were taken for counseling in different remand and children’s home pending the determination of the case. State Counsel Alice Mathangani pleaded with the court to deny the accused bail saying that they are likely to interfere with the witnesses.
Through his lawyer Mr James Mouko, the accused argued that denying them bail amounts to infringing on their constitutional rights. They also told the court that they have a six months old baby to take care of ahead of a ruling on the bond today (Wednesday).