Nine charges are expected to be brought against 95 suspects connected to the Shakahola massacre in court, according to the Office of the Director of Prosecutions (ODPP).
The investigative branch said on Tuesday that the 95—including Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the primary suspect—will be brought before the High Court and Subordinate Court.
Numerous charges, including murder, manslaughter, and assault causing bodily harm—all offenses covered by Penal Code Cap 63—will be brought against the suspects.
They will also be held accountable for violating the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010, by engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalizing others, and helping to carry out a terrorist act.
Did you read this?
The suspects will face charges of torturing, abusing, and violating a child's right to an education under the provisions of the Children Act, 200l; the Prevention of Torture Act, 2017; and the Basic Education Act, 2013.
Pastor Mackenzie and seventeen other suspects connected to the massacre have fourteen days from January 9 to January 9 to file charges with the state.
The suspects connected to the cult deaths have been in custody for a record 117 days since the application for an extension of custodial orders was filed, and they have not yet been charged, according to Senior Principal Magistrate Y. Shikanda's ruling at the Shanzu court.
The Magistrate claimed that the 117-day detention was the longest in Kenyan history since the 2010 constitution was adopted.
As of November 21, 2023, over 420 bodies had been exhumed from Mackenzie's doomsday cult, whose adherents were advised to starve themselves to death to "meet Jesus."
