Shakahola cult: Paul Mackenzie, his wife and 16 followers held 5 more days

Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Maweu and his 16 followers have been detained for another five days as investigations into the Shakahola mass killings intensify.

This came as it emerged that Mr Mackenzie and his “security” team ensured his followers did not give up fasting even when they wanted to denounce it.

Shanzu Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda, who is handling the matter, was told on Friday that a group of men guarded thee followers, ensuring they compiled with the rule on fasting to death at whichever cost.

“The narrations disclose an organised structure where a group of men would deploy force and violence to ensure any adherents who were giving up on starvation or attempting to escape were violently forced to starve to death,” inspector Raphael Wanjohi said in a supporting affidavit.

 These men, the court heard, were allowed to eat and drink, and would also dig graves and bury those who died.

State counsels Jami Yamina and Peter Kiprop submitted these preliminary findings as credible following the recovery of bows and arrows and a motorcycle within the Shakahola crime scenes.

“It is now reasonably believed that all the respondents of Good News International Ministries are among those who either offered security services or dug up the graves and buried the deceased,” said Mr Yamina.

The state counsels told the court that information gradually flowing to the police indicates that 18 people may have recruited their spouses and children into the cult.

The court has been told that five members - the spouse and children of Smart Mwakalama, who is one of those being held by Mr Mackenzie, have been reported missing.

“Because of the evolving and mutating nature of this case, the period of detention initially sought and granted by the Malindi court has proved insufficient, but there exists compelling reasons to continue holding the respondents,” said Mr Yamina

The State has also said that the respondents have no known place of abode, and that they have refused to produce their national identification documents for proper identification.

The prosecutors also told the court that the police are having a hard time with the respondents, whom they say still hold dearly their extreme religious beliefs and may starve themselves and die.

“The same danger is presented if they are held in large groups in any police station, as that would turn police cells into little churches that expose other detainees to radical teachings and conversion,” said Mr Yamina.

The court also heard that the police are seeking to detain the accused for 90 days to carry out DNA tests, lift fingerprints and conduct analysis at the National Registration Bureau and also to conduct identification parade.

“Since it is believed that some of the deceased and persons missing may be immediate family members or relatives to some of the respondents, there is need for the investigation team to establish this through forensic analysis , an exercise that may take a considerable amount of time given the exhumation of the deceased is still ongoing,” said the prosecutor.

Through their lawyers Elisha Komora and George Kariuki, the respondents decried starvation saying the State had not given them food.

The State argued that releasing the respondents would endanger the lives of victims, who are still being rescued from the expansive forest.

“His vehicle was seen at the scene after he was granted bail in March. We are apprehensive that evidence will be tampered with and that witnesses may be influenced not to record statements. The offences are all very serious. Evidence proves that the respondents will completely disappear if released,” said Mr Jami.

Mr Yusuf Abubakar, who is representing the victims of the Shakahola massacre, supported the respondents’ continued detention, noting that the offences under investigation are serious.

“It has come out that there has been indoctrination and stupification of the victims to an extent they were not in control of their minds, that in itself amounts to criminal offence,” he said.

'Battered, denied food'

Mr Komora said, however, that the prosecution has not supplied the court with sufficient evidence to curtail their liberty. 

He also said the respondents were not only denied food for two days but were also battered.

“They were denied food for two days when they were remanded in the police station. Some of them were battered at the police station where they were detained. Some have scars from the beating," said Komora

The advocates claimed Ms Maweu was forced to use her own funds to buy food and water for her child.

“The prosecution has not shown the court to what extent they have done investigations and what's remaining. It is all speculation. They are respondents. The presumption is they are innocent until the contrary is proven. We ask that they be detained for seven days or admitted to bail,” said Mr Komora.

Mr George Kariuki, who is also representing the 18 respondents, argued that there is no reason to detain them longer than seven days.

“Since the State knew it was still investigating the incident and that the charges are mere speculation, it is premature to say they had to come to a specialised court,” said Mr Kariuki

He also lamented that the State is withholding crucial information, which he said means someone is protecting their jobs or does not want to take responsibility.

“No evidence has been brought to show Mackenzie owns the 800 acres farm. He has no powers to interfere with anything because exhumation is ongoing and is being conducted by the police,” said Mr Kariuki.

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