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Church of Kenya leadership has distanced itself from any association with embattled Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International church.

The church, which has branches in more than 20 counties, has told its critics to stop linking it with the controversial preaching of the prescribed Good News International Church.

Led by the head of the church, Rev Isaac Lugaga said they have never been involved in teachings that are contrary to the scripture as being alleged by their critics.

Rev Lugaga said they have been operating their gospel activities in the open and that at no time have they conducted themselves in isolation as in the case  of former controversial preacher Mackenzie.

“In fact we have been in the fore-front warning Christians across the country not to blindly follow preachers who give sermons in their churches contrary to what is written in the bible,” said Rev Lugaga.

Rev Lugaga wondered why they were being associated with someone who as no spiritual father and besides, has no known faith history.

The cleric was speaking during a funeral service for one his church members, the late Sylvious Kagai Marla, 46 at Busali area in Sabatia sub county on Saturday.

The mother of two boys succumbed to high blood pressure and kidney-related complications at Nairobi West Hospital two weeks ago.

Mackenzie, the former  head of prescribed Good News International Church is the prime suspect in the death of over 400 people in the Shakahola forest.,

Mackenzie and his co-accused are  currently facing charges of murder, child torture and terrorism following  the discovery of hundreds of bodies of his followers  who had starved to death on his instruction.

Mackenzie is said to have promised his victims plenty of farmland within the Shakahola forest on which they would farm and build homes.

It is alleged that on various dates between 2020 and 2023, the accused persons, who were members of the Good News International (GNI) Ministries, an organized criminal group, engaged in organized criminal activities in the Kwa Mackenzie area of Shakahola Forest, endangering lives and killing over 448 members and followers.

Mackenzie has already spent more than 451 days behind bars since his arrest on April 15 last year. His co-accused have also spent more than 400 days in custody.

The state has presented direct and circumstantial evidence with around 90 witnesses to prove the charges of radicalization against Mackenzie and 93 others.