The men and women, who were found in poor health conditions, have been receiving counseling at a rescue center in Mtwapa.
During a hearing presided over by Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido, it was revealed that the individuals began a hunger strike last week, threatening to starve themselves to death.
The state also presented a charge sheet in court, accusing the 38 women and 27 men of attempted suicide. However, they were not required to enter a plea, and the state requested further direction from the court.
Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel SPPC Jami Yamani and Principal Prosecution Counsel (PPC) Juma Victor Owiti asked Magistrate Omido to issue an order directing the medical officer in charge of Shimo la Tewa prison to forcefully provide sustenance to the hunger strikers.
Jami stated that the individuals had been taken to hospitals after their rescue, as they were emaciated and some were near death. Trained officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had provided them with counseling.
The two senior prosecutors argued that the rescue centers where the individuals had been housed were no longer able to accommodate them due to the ongoing hunger strike.
The prosecution further submitted that detaining the survivors from Shakahola inside the highly secure prison would enable investigators to treat them both as victims and suspects.
The court was also requested to order a mental health assessment for each of the 65 suspects by a qualified psychiatrist, with the report to be filed in court.
Jami and Owiti further assured the court that at the prison facility, the group would receive forced feeding without being subjected to torture or having their rights violated. They argued that the individuals needed to be in an environment where they could undergo medical examination, with a report filed in court and shared with the investigators.
The court is scheduled to make a ruling on Thursday regarding the state’s application to have the suspects held at Shimo la Tewa prison.
