Malindi Chief Magistrate on Monday, April 17, allowed police to detain controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Makenzie for 14 more days to allow investigations.
The preacher was linked to alleged cult-like activities believed to have led to the deaths of 4 persons through fasting at Shakahola village, Magarini constituency in Kilifi County.
He will remain in police custody together with six of his followers. Seven other followers will be held for seven days for counseling before they are released.
Malindi Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui also cancelled a Ksh10,000 police bond granted to Makenzie by Senior Principal Magistrate Olga Onalo. He had earlier been presented in court for allegedly being involved in the deaths of two children in Shakahola village, Kilifi County.
“One of the suspects who the prosecution has indicated as a victim had actually directly asked the court to release him so that he can go back to the place that the prosecution has referred as the first respondent’s land in Shakahola to continue with his fast. This outrightly confirms that the activities are still taking place at the said place,” the Chief Magistrate stated in her ruling.
She noted that the court found compelling reasons to allow the police to continue holding the suspects for more days until they complete the investigations.
Sergeant Joseph Yator, in his application, had requested the court to allow the police to hold Pastor Makenzie and six of his followers for 30 days to complete investigations into the matter.
Makenzi’s lawyer, George Kariuki, in his defense, told the court that the prosecution had not proved that four followers of the suspect died due to starvation, as there were no medical reports.
Senior Public Prosecution Counsel Vivian Kambaga however told the court that the suspect would interfere with investigations if set free.
Seven more victims of the alleged cult were rescued Sunday, April 16 night and taken to the Malindi police station for interrogation following an operation led by the residents of Shakahola and Adu Ward Representative Samson Zia.
“We have rescued seven people and some victims told us that they feared escaping on their own, that place is no longer a religion but a militia,” Zia told the police.
Detectives on Thursday, April 13, retrieved four bodies and rescued 11 people from a controversial fasting event at Shakahola village.
The officers raided the village after a tip-off and found members of a religious sect group conducting prayers in what was perceived to be a cult.
Mackenzie surrendered to Malindi Police Station, a day after police launched investigations into the deaths of his followers.
