Mackenzie Followers Faint in Court, Govt Fears they May Die in Custody

Cult leader Paul Mackenzie's devotees were on Wednesday, June 14, unable to make it to a court hearing after collapsing within the court premises.

18 people, including Mackenzie and his wife Rhodha Mumbua, were presented before the court to determine whether they should remain in custody. As they were being led out of a police vehicle, some were too weak to walk. One of the Shakahola cult victims fell and was unable to stand due to his frail condition. Senior Prosecution Council Jami Yamina told the court that 16 of the accused had gone on a 10-day hunger strike, but Mackenzie and his wife Smart Mwakalama devoured all the meals that were served.

“We fear that some of them will lose their lives while in custody. The rest of them went on a hunger strike 10 days ago and refused to eat or drink water. We have to address this matter now because we do not know if these people will be alive tomorrow,” Yamina stated. 

On Monday, June 12, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) disclosed that it will press charges against those accused of trying to take their own lives by absconding meals in support of the disputed preacher. ODPP affirmed that Mackenzie's followers will receive mental and medical assessments in jail, even if they stayed firm on their decision to continue fasting. The prosecution team, headed by Jami Yamina and J.V. Owiti, applied for the individuals in question to be detained in prison since the Rescue Centre was no longer able to contain them. 

On June 7, 2023, Mackenzie and his wife threatened to abscond meals while in jail over Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki's determination to keep the preacher incarcerated for life. The preacher maintained that no fair trial awaits him since the government has already determined his fate.