State Files Motion to Detain Mackenzie Followers at Shimo La Tewa, Uniquely Utilizing Food as a Means of Influence
The Shanzu law court in Mombasa will decide on Thursday whether or not to grant the state’s request to detain 65 followers of Preacher Paul Mackenzie at the Shimo la Tewa prison.
The state wants to force the sixty-five individuals who were rescued from the Shakahola forest to eat, as they have been on a hunger strike.
The suspects of the Shakahola cult, who were rescued in poor health, have been receiving counseling at a rescue center in Mtwapa, Kilifi County.
The court heard that last week they engaged in a hunger strike, threatening to starve to death.
Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamani and Principal Prosecution Counsel Juma Victor Owiti requested that Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido issue an order directing the prison’s medical officer to force-feed the victims.
Jami stated, “The victims were taken to hospitals after being rescued emaciated, with some on the verge of death, and they have received counseling from trained DCI officers.”
Due to their decision to engage in a hunger strike, the two senior prosecutors claim that the shelters where they have been detained are no longer able to house them.
“According to their hunger strike, detaining the sixty-five Shakahola survivors in the heavily guarded Shimo la Tewa prison would allow investigators to treat them as both victims and suspects,” the prosecution argued further.
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Jami and Owiti informed the court that the group will be force-fed at the prison facility.
“When we say forcibly, we do not mean with torture; we will not violate their rights or subject them to torture,” they argued.
The state prosecutors added that the 65 suspects must be placed in an environment where they can be medically examined and their reports filed with the court and shared with investigators.
“We also seek a court order mandating that each of the 65 suspects be evaluated by a qualified psychiatrist and that the report be filed in court.”
Alternatively, the state presented a charge sheet in court in which 38 women and 27 men are charged with attempted suicide.
However, they were not required to enter a plea despite the state’s request for further direction.
State Files Motion to Detain Mackenzie Followers at Shimo La Tewa, Uniquely Utilizing Food as a Means of Influence
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