Sixteen followers of Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie who have been on hunger strike for the last 10 days inside police custody are on the brink of death.
Only Mackenzie and Smart Mwakala have been eating and drinking water compelling police to carry some of the striking ones- who cannot stand on their legs to the Shanzu law courts for the mention of the case.
The senior state counsel, Jami Yamina told the court the 16 have completely refused to eat and some may die at any time.
One of the accused persons collapsed outside the court forcing police to carry him while the others were assisted by police to stand during the mention.
“We fear that some of these accused will die inside the custody because they have completely declined to eat anything since June 4, 2023. We urged the court to give directions on how to deal with the situation,” said Mr Yamina.
The court ordered that Mackenzie and his followers be detained at Malindi GK Prison and the weak ones be taken to hospital.
Inside the court, Mackenzie and his followers suffered a huge blow after two of their lawyers, Elisha Komora and George Kariuki pulled out citing frustrations, intimidation and threats.
Yesterday, a total of 19 bodies were exhumed in mass graves inside Shakahola forest raising the death toll to 303 according to Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha.
During a recent tour of Tharaka Nithi County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki expressed fears that there could be more bodies buried inside the forest associated with Mackenzie.
He also stated that no person or organization will stop the government from coming up with the proposed religious reforms aimed at taming rogue religious leaders.
