Shakahola massacre: Mackenzie, 94 others charged with 238 counts of manslaughter

Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 94 other people accused of terrorism and radicalization in Shakahola have denied all 238 charges levelled against them by the State.

According to a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Tuesday, the 95 suspects were charged with 238 counts of manslaughter.

They appeared before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku where they denied committing the offences between January 2021 and September 2023 in Shakahola area in Malindi, Kilifi County.

“They all pleaded not guilty to all the 238 counts of manslaughter before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku which were read to them for four and half hours,” the ODPP stated.

Magistrate Thuku ruled for the accused to appear before the court on February 13, 2023, where he would give his judgment on bail and bond terms.

Mackenzie and his co-accused, who have remained in remand for months, will continue to remain in custody following an application by the prosecution to continue detaining them pending the conclusion of investigations.

In late December, the Shanzu court granted the prosecution's request to extend the suspects’ detention for another 180 days .

However, early this month, Senior Principal Magistrate Y.Shikanda gave a 14-day ultimatum for the state to charge Mackenzie and his co-accused failure to which the court would be forced to release the suspects on its own terms.

Shikanda argued that the suspects had been in custody for a record 117 days since the application for extension of custodial orders was filed and were yet to be charged, adding that enough time had passed since the initial bail application and that the ongoing investigations should have been completed.

Last week, they were detained for 30 more days.