Nairobi — The government has moved to crack the whip on Good News International Church and the New Life Prayer Centre which now risk closure within the next 30 days.

The two churches owned by controversial preachers Paul Mackenzie, who operated in Kilifi's Shakahola forest, and Ezekiel Odero based in Manueni, Kilifi, have been on the spotlight for contradictory doctrines.

The Registrar of Societies Jane Joram told senators on Wednesday that the office domiciled under the Office of Attorney General had written two show cause notices to the controversial churches on why they should not be deregistered.

"We took the liberty to send out cancellation notices to these churches because of the activities that have come to the fore. It is usually a thirty-day notice to show cause why they societies should not be deregistered," said Nyaraki.

Odero's New Life Prayer Centre has not filed returns since its registration in 2012 which is one of the requirements by the Societies Act of 1968.

"They haven't compiled with the requirement of the societies act. No returns have been filed and therefore we have issued them with a notice to show cause on why they should not be de-registered," Nyaraki stated.

Appearing before the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the proliferation of churches following catastrophic church activities, Attorney General Justin Muturi admitted to loopholes limiting the proliferation of churches due to the current absolute law which governs religious institutions.

More to follow...