By Jane Meza
Mombasa County, Kenya: Controversial pastor Paul Mackenzi, along with 94 co-accused, vehemently denied five terrorism-related charges during their appearance before Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido at the Shanzu Law Court in Mombasa.
The charges encompass terrorism, engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating a terrorist act, and possession of an article linked to an offense under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The case is slated for mention on February 8, 2024.
On Thursday, Mackenzi and his co-accused, who have been in custody for over nine months in connection with the deaths of 429 people, appeared at the Shanzu Law Court. The bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola forests.
The accused faced charges of terrorism, engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, and facilitating a terrorist act.
However, all the accused individuals vehemently denied the charges. The state opposed their release on bond or cash bail.
In his ruling, Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido ordered the case to be transferred to another court. He further directed that the accused be detained in their respective GK prisons.
Next week, on Monday, Pastor Paul Mackenzi and the co-accused are scheduled to appear at the Tononoka Children’s Court, where they will face three additional charges, including subjecting a child to torture, cruelty to a child, and infringing a child’s right to education.
