Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda has directed Cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 27 other co-accused persons to be detained for a further 47 days, to allow for the completion of investigations having already spent 90 days in custody.
The Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate said it is not reasonable to release the suspects before a thorough background check.
Shikanda said the DPP had submitted that Mackenzie and some of his co-accused have not known fixed abode rather than Shakahola, which has since been declared a disturbed scene.
“Where will they go if released on bail or bond terms?,” posed Shikanda.
“The 47 days detention will run from August 2,” he said.
At least 425 deaths have been reported in the Shakahola tragedy with Mackenzie, who is in police custody, facing several charges of human rights violations including murder.
Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Maweu and the co-accused are facing at least 12 charges including murder, counseling and aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering.
The controversial cult leader Paul Mackenzie of Good News International claims he is innocent of being involved in brainwashing his congregants, which allegedly led to the deaths of 425 people in the infamous Shakahola Cult.
Mackenzie was arrested in April after authorities uncovered cult deaths in Kilifi’s Shakahola forest where he allegedly brainwashed followers to fast to death.