A Mombasa court has summoned the officer in charge of Shimo la Tewa Women’s Prison to address allegations of mistreatment made by suspects held in connection with the Shakahola massacre. The summons followed complaints raised by Rhoda Maweu, wife of cult leader Paul Mackenzie, and eight other women, who accused prison wardens of harassment and abuse, prompting the suspects to go on a hunger strike.
Harassment Allegations and Hunger Strike
The suspects, including 40 women and 55 men, face 238 counts of manslaughter related to the deaths of followers of Mackenzie’s Good News International Church. These deaths occurred as part of an alleged suicide pact driven by the church’s radical teachings between January 2021 and September 2023. The defence lawyer, Lawrence Obonyo, representing the accused, highlighted that the suspects were on hunger strike to protest their mistreatment by specific officers at Shimo la Tewa Prison.
“They [suspects] are yet again on hunger strike to protest the actions of the officers at Shimo la Tewa. We are asking the court to intervene,” said Obonyo during a court session on Monday. This is not the first time these suspects have raised concerns over their treatment, and the renewed strike underscores their frustration.
Prosecution’s Response
However, the prosecution, led by Senior Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamina, opposed the defence’s application to involve the court in the matter of the alleged mistreatment. Yamina argued that the defence was using the harassment claims as a tactic to obstruct the ongoing manslaughter case. He noted that there is an established procedure for handling complaints from prison inmates under the Prisons Act.
“The court should allow the defence team to follow the procedure as outlined in the Prisons Act. The application by the defence to invite this court into this issue will derail the matter at hand, which is the manslaughter trial,” said Yamina.
Despite the prosecution’s stance, Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku deemed the issue of the hunger strike “weighty and urgent.” He directed that the suspects be served with snacks during the court sessions, ensuring their basic needs were met while in court. Magistrate Ithuku further ordered the chief prison warden to appear before the court on Wednesday, September 11, to provide a comprehensive report on the allegations.
Deaths of Incarcerated Suspects
The court’s attention to the treatment of the suspects was heightened by the recent deaths of two incarcerated suspects. Edison Safari, who was suffering from cancer, passed away on August 19 at Shimo la Tewa Prison, while another suspect, Mary Charo, died in June at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Their bodies were released to their relatives for burial after postmortem examinations.
Testimonies Against Mackenzie
As the trial proceeds, seven witnesses have so far testified against Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused. The testimonies have painted a grim picture of Mackenzie’s influence over his followers, who were allegedly driven to abandon their livelihoods and families, and ultimately, to partake in continuous fasting that led to numerous deaths.
One witness described how Mackenzie used radical interpretations of Bible verses to advance his messages, often contradicting known scriptures or issuing decrees with no scriptural basis at all. The witness noted that Mackenzie instructed his followers to give up work, meals, education, and even basic human desires, leading to their tragic demise.
Conclusion
The court’s directive to summon the prison boss underscores the seriousness of the allegations made by the suspects. As the manslaughter trial continues, the treatment of the accused remains a contentious issue that could impact the broader legal proceedings. The court’s intervention aims to address these immediate concerns while ensuring that the rights of all individuals, even those accused of grave crimes, are upheld.
