Paul Mackenzie: Mombasa Court Directs State To Reduce Murder Counts From 191 To 12

• The High Court ordered a reduction in the murder counts against preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 29 others from 191 to 12 to streamline judicial proceedings
• Despite this reduction, the court affirmed that Mackenzie and his co-accused were properly charged in the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi county
• Mackenzie faced a setback as the court dismissed objections raised by his defense counsel regarding the specificity of the charges, ruling that they were drafted correctly

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa - The High Court has ordered the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to reduce the number of murder counts against controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 29 others.

Lady Justice Mugure Thande ruled that the number of murder charges against the accused persons be reduced from the current 191 to 12.

Justice Mugure, who delivered her ruling virtually, noted that reducing the number of charges would speed up justice for all parties and save judicial time.

"This will obviously take a long time and will prejudice the rights of the accused persons to fair trial," she said.

Thande gave the DPP 21 days to amend the information containing the murder counts before filing fresh charges against them.

"It is evident that there is consensus in the two cases that counts should not be many. I therefore direct the ODPP to, within 21 days, amend the charge sheet to contain not more than 12 counts," she ruled.

What setback did Mackenzie suffer

The court further determined that Mackenzie and 29 others were properly charged in the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi County.

Judge Thande ruled that the charge facing Mackenzie and his co-accused was properly drafted, and the suspects were charged in accordance with the law.

She explained that the charges as drawn will not occasion any prejudice to Mackenzie and his co-accused persons.

The ruling followed a preliminary objection filed by defence counsel James Mouko, who stated that the counts were amorphous to the extent that they did not contain specific dates, places and the names of some of the victims.

Court denies Mackenzie, 94 others bail

Earlier, a Mombasa court denied bail to the controversial preacher after he pleaded not guilty to various charges.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku agreed with the prosecution that Mackenzie and his co-accused lack a permanent place of abode.

Therefore, having them attend court as required would be difficult because their homes are either unknown or temporary.

Ithuku added that the prosecution had given compelling reasons justifying why the accused did not qualify for bail.

What you need to know about Shakahola murders

• Investigations into the deaths of over 90 people in Shakahola forest revealed new information indicating some victims were strangled.
• A section of the families who lost relatives in Shakahola Forest were hesitant to pick the bodies for burial over superstitious fears and stigma.
• Mackenzie and his co-accused appeared before the Shanzu Law Courts on Friday, August 4, for the hearing of the prayer by the prosecution to have them detained for 47 more days.
• A survivor of the Shakahola cult by controversial pastor Paul MacKenzie Salama Masha had just started rebuilding her life after a terrifying ordeal in Shakahola.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.