Shakahola cult: Paul Mackenzie's aide dies in police custody

Controversial Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie has lost one of his aides who was held in police custody.

Shanzu Senior Principal Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda was informed of the aide's death as Paul Mackenzie his wife Rhoda Maweu and 15 others appeared before a Shanzu Court.

Joseph Juma Buyuka died two days ago is said to have declined to eat or take water and died while receiving treatment in hospital. Two other suspects are also receiving treatment.

The prosecution led by Yamina Jamii have requested for 60 more days to complete investigations.

Defence lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo objected to the application accusing the State of subjecting suspects to psychological torture.

This comes as the third phase of the post mortem exercise for bodies exhumed from Shakahola forest kicked off at Malindi mortuary.

Twenty-seven autopsies were conducted on Wednesday with 16 of the bodies found to have died of starvation.