Shanzu court on Wednesday, May 10, ruled that controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Maweu and other 16 suspects be detained for 30 days.
While making the ruling, Shanzu Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda stated that the suspects' safety and security may be compromised if they were released.
He also explained that detention of Mackenzie would enable police complete investigations into the matter without interference.
The controversial religious leader is facing charges of causing deaths of more than 100 followers of his church.
Mackenzie on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 enjoyed temporary freedom but was immediately rearrested after the Malindi court released him. The pastor was detained and set to face terrorism charges at Shanzu High Court in Kilifi County.
The court ruling came barely a week after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Friday, May 4, urged the court to deny Paul Mackenzie, bail.
The Prosecution accused Mackenzie of being a perennial lawbreaker who could not be trusted with bail relief.
While appearing before Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa, the prosecution explained that Mackenzie was, in 2017, convicted of a similar offence.
On the same note, Paul Mackenzie, Winne Alexander Gandi and Betty Mwakain in March 2017 were jointly accused of going against Basic Education Act by offering Basic Education in an unregistered institution.
On the other hand, President William Ruto on May 5, appointed a commission to inquire into the deaths, torture and inhumane treatment of members and individuals linked to Pastor Paul Mackenzie-led Good News International Church in Malindi, Kilifi County.
The commission consisted Justice Jessie Lesiit (Chairperson), Justice (Rtd) Mary Kasango, Dr Frank Njenga (psychiatrist), Eric Gumbo, Bishop Catherine Mutua, Dr Jonathan Lodompui, Wanyama Musiambu and Albert Musasia.
“The commission shall recommend legal administrative or other forms of accountability action against any public official whose actions or omissions are established to have willfully or negligently contributed to the Shakahola tragedy,” part of the Gazette Notice states.
On his part, Azimio leader Raila Odinga on May 8, sued President William Ruto over his decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the Shakahola massacre.
In a petition filed at the High Court, the Azimio leader argued Ruto had usurped his powers upon the Parliament, which was legally allowed to form the said commission of inquiry.
“We reiterate that only the Judicial Service Commission is empowered by the constitution to recruit qualified persons to serve in tribunals. The president has no powers to make any determination of the constitution of a court or an independent tribunal nor who sits in judgment in court or independent tribunal,” read part of the court documents filed by lawyer Paul Mwangi.
The exhumation of bodies in Shakahola forest resumed on Tuesday, May 8, with police recovering 21 more bodies, pushing the tally to 133.
