Embattled preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s woes are set to deepen after the state signalled plans to charge him alongside suspects in the Kwa Binzaro cult case.
On Friday, police filed an application at the Malindi Law Courts seeking 14 more days to detain nine suspects linked to the cult, whose victims are alleged to have died of starvation.
Appearing before Malindi Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Wesonga, Senior Prosecution Counsel Racheal Omala told the court that the State intends to consolidate the files so that Mackenzie, the alleged Shakahola cult leader, is enjoined in the case.
The prosecution said investigations had established Mackenzie’s involvement in the Binzaro cult and that they were ready to charge him alongside the nine suspects of the Kwa Binzaro incident.
The court further heard that the prosecution wants four of the suspects taken for mental assessment at Malindi Sub-County Hospital before a final decision is made on their charges. The suspects are Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, James Kahindi Kazungu, and Sharleen Temba Anido.
Ms Omala requested that the suspects be held at Malindi GK Prison pending their transfer to hospital for the assessment.
She added that detectives are probing several offences committed against the deceased victims, including radicalisation, facilitation of terrorist acts, engaging in organised criminal activity, and murder.
“The respondents were arrested on July 19 and 20, 2025, and arraigned before this Honourable Court on July 21, 2025, where the applicant sought and was granted custodial orders for 30 days,” she said.
Other suspects in the case include Jarius Otieno Oder, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Loice Zawadi, and Safari Kenga Nzai.
Defence lawyer Lawrence Obonyo opposed the application, arguing that the suspects have been in custody for too long and urged the court to order them to take plea.
Mackenzie, who is facing three other cases in connection with murder, radicalisation and child molestation in three Mombasa law courts, is being held at the Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison.
Recently, one of his closest allies, who is charged alongside him and 93 other suspects, turned state witness and spilt the beans on what transpired in the expansive Shakahola forest.
By Emmanuel Masha
