Paul Mackenzie lands 4 more weeks in custody over suicide fears

Nov 20, 2023 - 21:39

By Peter Ochieng

Controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused on Monday landed more days in police custody.

They will be in custody until 22nd December, 2023, when the court is expected to rule on the state’s application seeking to have the 29 suspects detained for a further 180 days.

Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church and his co-accused have been in custody since their arrest in April, 2023, after reportedly leading his followers in a 'fast to death to meet Jesus.'

Over 400 people who took the fast died as per bodies exhumed from Shakahola forest in Kilifi county, where the fast took place. Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior termed the forest a scene of crime.

Assistant Director of Public prosecutions Jami Yamina in an application has listed what he said are compelling reasons for detention pending completion of investigations into the 'Shakahola massacre.'

He claims that the suspects if released on bail may commit suicide.

Yamina told Shanzu senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda that investigators are still unravelling the identity of each of the bodies through both scientific and traditional methods of identification.

Prosecution say that the terrorism laws allow up to 360 days of lawful detention pending completion of investigations.

As of 20th November, 2023, Mackenzie had already spent 219 days in police and prison custody since his arrest on April 15, while his associates have been behind bars for 150 days.

His lawyer Wycliff Makasembo said the continued detention of the controversial cleric and his associates is an outright abuse of their rights.

Makasembo said their is no evidence against his clients.

“A quick reading of the application shows that the investigators are at a loss. They do not know the specific roles played by each of the accused persons. They do not have any evidence against Mackenzie and his co-accused."

After the arrest of Mackenzie, Kindiki declared that he will rot in jail.