Kenya: Justice calls for more time to investigate 'Shakahola massacre'

2023-06-08T03:49:00.862Z

Highlights: The Shakahola sect case continues in Kenya where worshippers had to fast to death to "meet Jesus" The case went before the Kenyan court on Wednesday, June 7, at the Shanzu court, near the city of Mombasa. Defense lawyers say some of the 35 detainees in the case have gone on hunger strike. They are asking for guarantees on the impartiality of the trial. The prosecutor is asking for a 60-day extension of detention for Paul Mackenzie and his fellow detainees.

The Shakahola sect case continues in Kenya where worshippers had to fast to death to "meet Jesus." The case went before the Kenyan court on Wednesday, June 7, at the court...

Kenya: Justice calls for more time to investigate 'Shakahola massacre'

The Shakahola sect case continues in Kenya where worshippers had to fast to death to "meet Jesus." The case went before the Kenyan court on Wednesday, June 7, at the Shanzu court, near the city of Mombasa.

Forensic experts and homicide detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (DCI) sort out the exhumed bodies of suspected followers of the sect, in Shakahola forest, May 11, 2023. REUTERS - STRINGER

Text by: RFI Follow

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard

Defense lawyers say some of the 35 detainees in the case have gone on hunger strike. They are asking for guarantees on the impartiality of the trial. They denounce a statement made by the Minister of the Interior, Kithure Kindiki, who claimed that the leader of the sect, Paul Mackenzie, would end his days in prison, regardless of the outcome of the trial. A few days later, the minister announced that justice had all the necessary elements to prosecute the self-proclaimed pastor for "genocide" and "crimes against humanity".

In front of the senators, Kithure Kindiki gave the details of the modus operandi of the sect. Supervised by an armed gang, those who decided to stop the fast were beaten. Autopsy reports reveal that bodies, some of them children, bore scars of beatings and strangulation.

The judiciary wants more time to investigate. The excavations resumed on Tuesday, June 6 and are far from over. The search area has increased from 300 to 15,000 hectares as more remains continue to be exhumed. 251 bodies have already been found in Shakahola forest, 95 people have been rescued. The Minister of Interior also announced that the Shakahola site would be transformed into a memorial site when the excavations are completed.

The prosecutor is asking for a 60-day extension of detention for Paul Mackenzie and his fellow detainees, who are currently still in police custody. The defense has seven days to prepare its response before the court gives its decision.

>> Also listen: Africa - Kenya report: after the horror of the Mackenzie sect, the supervision of cults is debated

Kenya: Justice calls for more time to investigate 'Shakahola massacre'

Kenya: Justice calls for more time to investigate 'Shakahola massacre'

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