The controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie alongside some of his followers will remain behind bars at Malindi Prison after they seemed to stick to misleading teachings by starving themselves for ten days.
Entrenching the cult teachings at different police stations where they were locked up, some of the emaciated adherents were unable to walk to the dock, while one collapsed at Shanzu Law Courts as he was being escorted to the dock for the court’s ruling on whether they should be released on bail pending completion of investigations.
Fifteen more were exhumed from shallow graves, bringing the number of the dead to 318. One suspect was arrested during the exhumation process.
Other reports indicate that three of Pastor Mackenzie lawyers have also withdrawn from the case citing frustrations from the State in accessing their clients.
The detention order was given by Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda pending further directions on June 21.
Mackenzie and his followers are facing possible charges of murder, and aiding persons to commit suicide, abduction and radicalization, among other offences.
Elsewhere, 65 victims rescued alive from Shakahola are detained at Shimo La Tewa prison after they refused to eat at the rescue centre where they were being held.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki’s remarks that he would ensure Mackenzie rots in jail is believed to have triggered the hunger strike among Makenzi and 16 of his followers.
Mackenzie had sought assurance from the Chief Justice that he would get justice from the courts.
On Monday, Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Jami Yemina told the court the survivors had resorted to a hunger strike at the Sahajanad Rescue Centre, where they were undergoing counselling.
Lawyer Yemina applied to have the suspects held at Shimo La Tewa where they can be fed by the prison’s medical officers, who have the mandate to administer forcible feeding pending a mental health assessment report.
The prosecutor added that Section 29 of the Prisons Act allows the State to administer forcible feeding to persons within the prison and that some victims risked death in the absence of urgent intervention.
“They need to be held in a safe place where they can be forcibly fed without breaching their rights.” said Yemina.
In a different court, lawyers George Kariuki, Elisha Komora and Wycliffe Makasembo complained that they had been denied access to their clients.
Komora and Kariuki withdrew their services citing frustrations from taking instructions from their clients.