Shakahola massacre: Mackenzie, 94 co-accused detained for 30 days after denying charges

The 95 suspects, produced in the Shanzu Law Courts are facing five counts under terrorism and radicalization offences. 

After spending months in remand, Paul Mackenzie led his followers for his second court appearance under heavy police presence, into the Shanzu law courts.

The suspects in the Shakahola massacre, numbering nearly 100, took up the entire courtroom as they waited to hear what charges the state would bring against them.

The prosecution's team deployed their heavyweights, led by the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Victor Mule to lay out the charges that warranted the suspects to be brought before the counter-terrorism court.

 The suspects included Paul Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mumbua, his Deputy Smart Mwakalama, his security chief, Stephen Sanga, and Senior Leader Kelvin Sudi Asena are facing several charges relating to terrorism and radicalization.

In count one, Mackenzie and 31 other suspects have been charged with engaging in organised criminal activity contrary to the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act of 2010.

The prosecution states that the 32 suspects, in the years between 2020 and 2023, as members of the Good News International Ministries, which they describe as an organised criminal group, engaged in criminal activities, endangering lives and leading to the deaths of 429 people.

All the accused are charged with radicalisation contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, with the prosecution accusing them of promoting an extreme belief system to facilitate ideologically based violence to wit fasting to death.

Mackenzie and his deputy Smart Mwakalama face two other counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and having an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

They are accused of transporting people to Shakahola, endangering their lives as well as having CDs, DVDs, books and pamphlets for use in instigating the commission of a Terrorist Act.

They all denied the charges against them and have been remanded until February 18, 2023, when their case will be mentioned again. 

Mackenzie appeared in court on Wednesday to face murder charges but was instructed to undergo a mental examination to find out if they are fit to stand trial.

Mackenzie and his co-accused will also be facing more charges in the children's court in Tononoka Mombasa.

He will be charged with violating the rights of the children of Shakahola.