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Shakahola cult: One suspect dies in custody

He was part of the team that staged a 10-day hunger strike

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by DAMARIS KIILU

News21 June 2023 - 08:20

In Summary


  • Two other suspects have also been taken ill.
  • Police believe it is related to their hunger strike.
Mackenzie and co-accused arrive a Shanzu Court on June 21, 2023.

One of the 30 suspects that was being held with cult leader Paul Mackenzie has died while in custody.

Joseph Juma Buyuka died two days ago.

He was part of the team that staged a 10-day hunger strike.

Senior Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamina confirmed the death before Shanzu Court.

Mackenzie's lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo also confirmed.

"Complications were from hunger strike and starvation, but we will await a postmortem report," Yamina said.

Two other suspects have also been taken ill.

Police believe it is related to their hunger strike.

The third phase of the postmortem exercise on the bodies that were exhumed from the vast 800-acre Shakahola forest were expected to start today.

At least 93 bodies were exhumed in the 10-day third phase of the exhumation exercise that started on June 6 and stopped on June 16.

So far, the death toll of people who starved to death in phase I, II and III has clocked at 336 bodies.


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