Legal Lightning Strikes: DPP Ingonga Drops 10 Charges on Mackenzie and 94 Others After Court Ultimatum
On Tuesday, January 16, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) imposed 10 charges on Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 94 individuals, in response to a court ultimatum mandating either the filing of charges or the release of the accused.
DPP Renson Mulele Ingonga stated that his office possesses ample evidence to bring charges against the 95 individuals accused of significant involvement in the Shakahola Indoctrination Massacre in Kilifi County. The incident resulted in the loss of over 300 lives.
The allegations pertain to offenses such as murder, manslaughter, radicalization, cruelty, and the torture of children.
DPP Ingonga classified the accusations into various categories, including offenses outlined in the Penal Code Cap 63, violations specified in the Children Act of 2001, breaches of the Prevention of Torture Act from 2017, contraventions of the Basic Education Act of 2013, and offenses under both the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2012 and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act of 2010.
Charges were filed against Mackenzie and his co-defendant for murder, manslaughter, and assault causing bodily harm, as outlined in the Penal Code Cap 63.
The contentious preacher will face legal proceedings for participating in organized criminal behavior, promoting radicalization, and aiding the execution of a terrorist act.
“The DPP is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 95 suspects with having an article connected with an offense under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012 contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012,” a statement from ODPP read in part.
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In the investigation of the Shakahola Massacre, it was documented that students were compelled to prematurely end their education and were subjected to enforced hunger.
Therefore, Mackenzie will face legal proceedings for inflicting torture and cruelty upon a child.
Moreover, the pastor facing condemnation will be accused of violating a child’s entitlement to education, in opposition to the stipulations outlined in the Basic Education Act of 2013.
Given the 10 charges outlined, DPP Ingonga instructed the prompt presentation of the suspects before both the High Court and Subordinate Courts.
“The ODPP undertakes to expeditiously prosecute the matters given the great public interest involved,” members of the public were assured.
On January 9, Senior Principal Magistrate Y.A. Shikanda issued a 14-day deadline for the State to bring charges against Mackenzie.
“In my view, that is sufficient time within which the pending investigations ought to have been completed,” the judge ruled then.
Legal Lightning Strikes: DPP Ingonga Drops 10 Charges on Mackenzie and 94 Others After Court Ultimatum