Controversial Good News International Church leader Pastor Paul Mackenzie got a major blow on Friday after a Malindi court found him guilty of broadcasting films and operating a studio without the Kenya Films classification board licence.
Mackenzie was accused of recording films and broadcasting them through his Times Television without a valid licence.
While giving the judgment Malindi Senior Resident Magistrate Onalo Olga said the controversial preacher will be sentenced on December 1.
Mackenzie who has been in remand for 208 days since April 15, is accused of the deaths of 429 persons whose bodies were exhumed from the vast Shakahola Forest.
He is yet to be charged in that case together with his followers and was in Shanzu law courts on Thursday for that case.
In the Malindi case, he was facing three counts but was acquitted in the first charge and found guilty in the two others.
The court heard that on April 11, 2019, in Malindi subcounty of Kilifi county jointly with others he was found in possession of cinematographic films intended to incite children against attending school.
Further Mackenzie was allegedly using the films to incite Christians against Hindus, Buddhists and Islams.
On the second count Mackenzie on diverse dates between January 1, 2019, and April 1, 2019, at Good News International Church in Malindi jointly with others not before court was found in possession and exhibition of films to the Public through Times television which had not been examined and classified by the Kenya Films Classification Board.
The court also heard that on the same dates between January 1 to April 1 2019, at the GNI Church jointly with others not before the court they were found operating a filming studio and producing films for public consumption without registering as a film agent and acquiring a film licence.
“In respect to count three (3) the prosecution has proved the charge to the required standard of beyond reasonable doubt, consequently I do find the accused person herein guilty and do accordingly convict him for count 3 for the offence of operating a filming studio and producing films without valid filming licence from Kenya Films classification board contrary to section 4 of the films and stage plat Act Cap 222 laws of Kenya thereof pursuant to Section 215 of the Criminal procedure Code,” ordered the magistrate.
On the first count, the magistrate said the prosecution did not prove the charge to the required standard.
In his defence, Mackenzie had said the DVD/CD recordings were not films and that the said DVDs were exhibits in another case involving the church once where he was acquitted.
Mackenzie said when one takes a video of his preaching it was not film and that the prosecution’s witnesses were not able to draw a line between a video broadcast and a film.
After the judgement, Mackenzie through his lawyer James Mouko said they would appeal against the court decision as the prosecution had not produced sufficient evidence in the case.