Rhoda Mumbua Maweu was arrested alongside her aunt from a hideout in Mtwapa on Monday night, according to police sources.
Police flush out Mackenzie's wife after finding incriminating texts
Police have arrested the wife of self-proclaimed spiritual leader, Paul Mackenzie, for her alleged role in the Kilifi cult, which has been linked to the deaths of several members.
Kenya police officers stand guard as the bodies of suspected members of a Christian cult named as Good News International Church are exhumed in Shakahola forest in Kenya, April 22, 2023.Stringer/Reuters
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Investigations have revealed that Mumbua was a key figure in the church's operations, working as a "human resource manager" for Mackenzie's administration, and playing a significant role in recruiting new members into the cult.
Mackenzie has been accused of preaching a dangerous doctrine that encourages his followers to starve themselves to death in order to reach heaven faster.
The ongoing investigation has also linked Mackenzie to several incriminating messages found on his phone, exchanged with his wife.
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Police IG Japhet Koome and DCI Mohamed Amin at Shakahola Forest
Police IG Japhet Koome and DCI Mohamed Amin at Shakahola Forest
Pulse Live Kenya
Police have been reviewing Mackenzie's phone records and interviewing individuals connected to the church.
It was during this process that Mumbua's name came up as a person of interest.
Investigators believe that she played a vital role in recruiting new members into the cult and was involved in making financial decisions on behalf of the church.
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Mackenzie's church, based in the coastal town of Kilifi, has been under police scrutiny for several months, after members were found dead from starvation.
The cult's teachings included skewed and extreme religious practices, coupled with fear of the unknown.
![Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge accompanied by some of his followers during a court appearance in Malindi on April 17, 2023 [Photo: AP]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'790'%20height%3D'476'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge accompanied by some of his followers during a court appearance in Malindi on April 17, 2023 [Photo: AP]")
Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge accompanied by some of his followers during a court appearance in Malindi on April 17, 2023 [Photo: AP]
Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge accompanied by some of his followers during a court appearance in Malindi on April 17, 2023
Pulse Live Kenya
The self-styled spiritual leader has been accused of manipulating his followers, leading them to their deaths in pursuit of salvation.
The arrest of Mumbua is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Kilifi cult.
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The police are expected to release more information on the matter in due course.
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