Kenya: new twist in the Shakahola forest massacre affair

2024-02-21T05:52:51.821Z

Highlights: In April 2023, a mass grave was discovered there, near Kilifi, on the Kenyan coast. 429 remains were found there. People died of starvation. They were the followers of the Good News International Church of self-proclaimed evangelist pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie. Yesterday, the man and his 94 co-accused were hospitalized following a hunger strike. He and his co-defendants face more than 200 charges including “assassination”, “terrorism” and “torture of children”

In Kenya, a new twist in the Shakahola forest massacre affair. In April 2023, a mass grave was discovered there, near Kilifi, on the Kenyan coast. 429 remains had been there…

Kenya: new twist in the Shakahola forest massacre affair

In Kenya, a new twist in the Shakahola forest massacre affair. In April 2023, a mass grave was discovered there, near Kilifi, on the Kenyan coast. 429 remains were found there. People died of starvation. They were the followers of the Good News International Church of self-proclaimed evangelist pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who preached extreme fasting to join Jesus. Yesterday, the man and his 94 co-accused were hospitalized following a hunger strike.

Self-proclaimed evangelist pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie (left) in Mombasa on January 18, 2024. AFP - -

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Nairobi,

Gaëlle Laleix

The 95 defendants presented themselves yesterday at the Mombasa court in

Kenya

very weakened . Some not being able to walk to the courtroom. It was therefore the judge who traveled to meet them and concluded that their condition required hospitalization.

Risk of leakage

For almost a week, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and his co-accused have been on hunger strike to protest against their pre-trial detention. Yesterday's hearing was intended to allow the prosecution to present its arguments to contest the request for bail filed by the defense. The public prosecutor highlights a risk of the defendants fleeing and fears that the pastor will influence the witnesses given his influence over his followers.

“

These people really have no shame

,” said a human rights activist from Kilifi, “

going on a hunger strike given what they are accused of is indecent

.” Paul Mackenzie is accustomed to the fact; He has already started several since the start of his pre-trial detention in May 2023.

“Torture of children”

He and his co-defendants face more than 200 charges including “assassination”, “terrorism” and “torture of children”. The next hearing is set for March 5, 2024.

Also read: Kenya: indictment of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie for 238 cases of manslaughter

Kenya: new twist in the Shakahola forest massacre affair

Kenya: new twist in the Shakahola forest massacre affair

Risk of leakage

“Torture of children”

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