Controversial Preacher Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused are once again on a hunger strike.
Mackenzie and the 94 persons appeared in court weak and unable to walk. The accused persons were not able to get down from prison vehicles, forcing police officers who were escorting them to leave them at the basement.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku checked on them at the basement and assured them that justice will be served.
The accused are in court for the hearing of the opposition of their release on bond by the state.
The state is opposing their release on grounds that they are “flight risk and have no fixed abode and might interfere with witnesses.”
Mackenzie and co-accused who are on a hunger strike, arrive in a Mombasa court weak and hungry. pic.twitter.com/9mx2IWrt1Z
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) February 20, 2024
The government is however set to release bodies of the 429 victims of the Shakahola victims to their families for burial.
“We have not gotten the result of DNA but we understand that there are DNAs which are ready…I don’t know the number but I think in a week’s time we’re going to sit down and look at them then proceed to Malindi so that we can try release a number of bodies which have been identified,” Government pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor said last week.
On January 31, 2024, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki declared Mackenzie’s church, Good News International, an organized criminal group.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Section 22 (1) of the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Good News International Ministries to be an organized criminal group for the purposes of the Act,” Kindiki said
