Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, along with 94 other individuals, facing charges of terrorism and radicalization in Shakahola, have been charged with 238 counts of manslaughter.
The 95 are accused of committing the offenses between January 2021 and September 2023 in the Shakahola area of Malindi, Kilifi County.
The accused persons, led by Mackenzie however vehemently denied all the 238 accusations brought against them by the State.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) released a statement on Tuesday, January 23 revealing that the 95 suspects had been officially charged.
The preferement of charges came after 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.
Their arraignment took place before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku.
“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 a half hours,” the ODPP statement reads in part.
Magistrate Thuku subsequently scheduled the next court appearance for the accused on February 13, 2023.
On this date, he is expected to deliver his judgment on bail and bond terms.
Despite the denial of charges, Mackenzie and his co-accused, who have been in remand for several months, will continue to remain in custody. This decision follows an application by the prosecution to continue detaining them until the investigations are concluded.
