A Mombasa court has ordered three prison authorities where Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 17 others are held to allow the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC) access to the suspects for purposes of investigating claims of unfair treatment in remand.
The suspects are held at Shimo La Tewa, Kilifi and Malindi GK Prisons.
Shanzu magistrate directed the officers in charge of the three facilities to allow the KNCHR officers and the lawyer to conduct an inquiry into the suspects’ complaints on their welfare.
“The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is hereby directed to investigate the complaints raised by the respondents concerning their treatment at the prison facilities and submit a report to the court and relevant authorized within 14 days for action,” Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda ordered.
The magistrate allowed the Commission to probe the allegations by Mackenzie and his followers over the mistreatment and harsh conditions they are being subjected to while at the prison facilities.
Through lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo, the suspects had on Monday, August 7, 2023, complained to the court about the unfair treatment being meted on them.
On his part, Mackenzie who is currently being held at Shimo la Tewa Prison, told the court that he has been subjected to inhumane treatment at the facility such as being locked in a dark room for two days without food or the opportunity to bathe.
The preacher who has been in custody for more than 90 days now, said that he has since been separated from his followers in a bid by the prison management to tame him from further influencing them.
“This is the second day I have not eaten nor taken a shower because I’m being locked in solitary 24/7. When I try to complain, no one listens. If you (the government) are tired of us, then take us to River Yala,” Mackenzie informed the court on Monday.
He wants improved living circumstances, claiming that he and his co-accused had been forced to sleep on chilly floors and risked getting illnesses such as pneumonia.
Mackenzie stated that they were given ugali with a splash of a liquid’ that was claimed to be bean soup.
“We will all die, and you the prosecutor will also die someday, there is nowhere someone can run to escape death. We are asking this court to intervene because the prison bosses are not listening to us,” Mackenzie lamented.
Lawyer Makasembo told the court that his clients might stage yet another hunger strike in prison if the issues raised are not addressed.
“If these people go on hunger strike again, the state will be held accountable. The prosecution should be blamed if they take them to where we came from,” the lawyer said.
In June, Mackenzie and his co-accused staged a 10-day hunger strike in prison whereby one of the suspects unfortunately succumbed to hunger pangs.
At least five others had to be rushed to the hospital to be treated after they could not stand and walk. One of Mackenzie’s associates was paralyzed and is yet to recover since the incident.
The state has since been allowed to continue holding Mackenzie and his associates for a period not exceeding 47 days to assist the police to finish their probe into Shakahola massacre.
Mackenzie and other 17 persons are being held over the deaths of over 426 people who starved to death at Shakahola forest.
Mackenzie is accused of misleading his followers of Good News International Church “to fast to death to transition to meet Jesus.”
They expected to face charges including murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering. BY K24 NEWS