Paul Mackenzie, a controversial preacher, will be held for 30 days as detectives look into the Shakahola massacre, which has so far resulted in the verified deaths of over 133 people.
Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda made the decision, claiming that releasing the suspects would endanger both their safety and the continuing investigation.
Beginning on May 3, the suspect will be held for 30 days as authorities conduct an investigation into the suspected starvation cult members’ fatalities.
The prosecution, led by Jami Yamina, voiced displeasure with the schedule provided by the court and demanded that the suspects be detained for at least 90 days.
The preacher was one of 17 accused, together with his wife, who were charged on Wednesday in the Shanzu law courts.
Detectives are requesting the detention of Mackenzie and 17 other people because the case is developing and there are open lines of inquiry, according to an affidavit signed by the investigating officer, Inspector Raphael Wanjohi.
In court records, the prosecution asserts that fresh evidence provides strong justifications for the respondents’ continuous incarceration throughout the course of the investigation.
The second through seventeenth suspects’ names are unknown, according to the prosecution, thus more research is required.
The prosecution further asserts that until the exhumations are finished, it won’t be possible to determine the identity of some of the victims, who are thought to be relatives of some of the respondents.
According to the court documents, DNA samples from the last body could only be collected after it had been unearthed and compared to samples from the respondents.
While the cult fatalities are being investigated, the suspects will be detained in several police stations throughout Kilifi.
By Dorax Moraa
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