Televangelists Dave and Sherry Mackay have, for the first time, addressed recommendations by a Senate Ad hoc committee which proposed they should be banned from visiting Kenya over alleged links to controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie.

In a responder sent to Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, the duo distanced themselves from the controversial cult leader, claiming that the Senate Committee relied on an unknown source who did not provide Senators with factual details.  

The Mackays maintained that they have never interacted with Mackenzie either physically or on online platforms.

"Once again, no evidence is given for this.  I have never had any contact with Paul Mackenzie, not in person, not through email, nor via phone, zoom, or social media. Once again, the committee has not provided any evidence to support this claim," read the statement in part.

"The Committee rightly makes reference to a sermon delivered by a friend of mine, in 2019, at a meeting organised by Paul Mackenzie.  That sermon can be viewed in its entirety, as it was filmed by followers of Mackenzie and displayed on their website," the statement added. 

Therefore, the couple demanded that the committee reveal the identity of the source, claiming that the report was defamatory. 

On the other hand, the Mackays added that the Senators were also misinformed of their status as religious leaders, arguing that they retired from the organisation they founded.

The duo neither held any title in the organisation, adding that they were not a cult institution as alleged. 

"If the worship of Jesus is enough to define a group as a cult, then it is quite likely that every church in Kenya would fit your definition.

"The report states that our teachings "include forsaking all private ownership."  This much is correct.  Voluntary poverty and a communal lifestyle have been part of many Catholic orders, as well as some Protestant movements over the centuries," the Mackays countered the Senate committee.  

The response of the Mackays came weeks after the Senate Committee recommended that the duo be banned from ever visiting the country.

According to the report, the duo was accused of facilitating Mackenzie with anti-government summons to incite his followers.

Notably, the Huduma Namba was one of the government projects that the duo allegedly opposed, claiming that it was the mark of the beast, cited in the Bible as a revelation for the end of the world.

The report will be debated in the Senate before being adopted for implementation. By Washington Mito, Kenyans.co.ke