After many months in prison, cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused, said to have urged followers to starve themselves to death, have gradually gained weight, and are cooperating with investigators.
They are happy, in good condition and happy to be out of solitary confinement, their lawyer Wycliff Makasembo said on Thursday.
Most of Mackenzie’s 420 followers starved themselves to death and some were suffocated or strangled in Shakahola Forest in Kwale county. They thought the world was ending and wanted to meet Jesus as soon as possible.
On Thursday, Mackenzie and his co-accused were seen to be in a jovial mood, as the state sought to continue holding them for another six months.
Lawyer Makasembo told the Star his clients, including Mackenzie “are happy in prison".
“Mackenzie is no longer being held in a solitary cell. He is not complaining, he is being well taken care of and he is a happy man,” he said.
As of Thursday, Mackenzie had already spent 208 days behind bars since his arrest on April 15 this year. Most of his co-accused have spent more than 180 days in prison.
Mackenzie and his co-accused are yet to be charged.
They have appeared before the Shanzu Law Courts several times. Still, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Criminal Investigations have been asking for extended custodial orders to complete investigations.
On September 15, the DPP applied to continue holding Mackenzie and the other co-accused persons for yet another six months.
On Thursday, Makasembo requested the court for another day to complete his responses to the application by the state.
Makasembo also asked to be granted one day to meet with his clients to take instructions and buttress his responses with facts.
During the meeting with his clients, Makasembo also wanted to be allowed to bring in a team of experts, consultants and well-wishers. His request was rejected by the DPP.
Makasembo said the state was apprehensive and should allow him to do his work.
“There is a general fear that I (Makasembo) might sneak in some dangerous people,” he told reporters.
“Police said they cannot allow any other person to walk in with me. My application was to be allowed to be accompanied into the prison facility with my team of experts and consultants,” he said.
He added, “I have a duty to perform, and the state is applying the brakes and imposing obstacles to interfere with my business.”
Shanzu senior principal magistrate Yusuf Shikanda directed that Makasembo should be allowed to meet with his clients on November 17 as requested. No others allowed.
“All suspects should be brought to Shimo La Tewa men’s prison on November 17 to meet with their lawyer Makasembo for one hour. The counsel and the respondents should adhere to prison regulations,” Shikanda said.
A hearing will be held on November 20 when the court is expected to rule on the state’s request for continued detention
