Pastor Mackenzie’s lawyers quit case citing harassment

Mombasa, Thursday, June 15, 2023

KNA by Chari Suche 

Two lawyers representing controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie and his 16 co-accused have informed Shanzu Law court of their decision to withdraw from the case citing harassment from colleagues.

George Kariuki and Elisha Komora said that they are not treated fairly by the prosecutors since taking up the case despite them doing voluntary work.

Kariuki asked Mackenzie to meet him in private after the case and discuss whether he can be convinced into offering his legal services to the team.

“Since I took up this case, I feel that my quest to serve these accused’s justice has been undermined. I have had difficulties in reaching out to the respondents and I feel frustrated yet I am only doing voluntary work,” he said.

He added that the dire situation the suspects are going through while in custody, where they are sleeping on the floor with some being called gangsters and ‘bad people’ has also pushed him to that decision.

According to Komora, an almost physical confrontation with prosecution has prompted his decision noting that he would not want the case to affect both his personal and professional relationship with his colleagues.

The controversial pastor is now left with one lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo who vowed to represent him until the end of the case.

However, Makasembo asked the court to have the accused moved to Shanzu prison for easier access as his work is based in Mombasa adding that he heavily relied on the two lawyers who are operating from Kilifi County where the accused are being held.

Some of the accused were being held in Malindi, Watamu and Shanzu prisons. For this reason, the lawyers cited grave inconvenience in accessing them and requested they be held in one facility.

The request was opposed by the prosecution noting lack of enough space in Shanzu to hold all the accused.

Before the incident by the lawyers, Mackenzie and his colleagues had appeared before the court to determine if their detention period would be extended to give the prosecution more time to file evidence.

However, some of the accused could barely stand as they were alleged to have staged a 10 day hunger strike in solidarity with their pastor.

Senior Prosecution Council Jami Yamina said the matter should be treated as urgent, requesting the court to address it otherwise lives might be lost.

“I would like to take directions on that application and how we can proceed. Without some order; some of the respondents will lose their lives. If we are to adjourn, the accused may not be there for the next date,” he said.

In his ruling, Chief magistrate Yusuf Shikanda directed that the accused be remanded in Malindi prison until June 21 when the court will give its decision.

Shikanda also ordered for medical examination to be done to the affected suspects to identify the cause of their condition.

Courtesy ; K. N. A