Controversial pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 16 other co-accused will be detained for 29 more days.
This follows an application by the state to extend the detention of Mackenzie and other co-accused for 60 days.
“The application by the State for extension of custodial orders in Misc. application No. E077 of 2023 is allowed to the extent that the 1st to 17th respondents shall be remanded in custody for a further period NOT EXCEEDING 60 days from 2/6/2023,” ordered Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda.
Meanwhile, his wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu was released on a personal bond of sh.100,000 together with a bond of sh.300,000/= with a surety of a similar amount.
According to SPM Shikanda’s orders, Rhoda Mumbua Maweu, referred to as the 18th respondent, will remain in custody pending approval of her proposed surety.
“Further to the bond terms aforesaid, the 18th respondent in Misc. application No. E077 of 2023 shall be required to visit a police station as may be directed by the investigators as and when required until completion of the investigations herein,” ordered SPM Shikanda.
Maweu was arrested on the 2nd of May 2023 at her aunt’s house in Mtwapa.
Meanwhile, the court has ordered three more days of detention for 11 Mackenzie followers.
“The respondents in Misc. application No. E101 of 2023 with the exception of the 7th respondent who is deceased have already spent 30 days in custody. The law provides that in the first instance, the court can only grant a maximum of 30 days. That period is already spent. Since the period has expired owing to circumstances beyond the HON. YUSUF ABDALLAH SHIKANDA 39 SHANZU SPMC MISC. CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. E077 OF 2023 control of the State, the State shall be given time to indicate whether they will require an extension and probably apply for such extension,” ordered SPM Shikanda.
The 12 were arrested on 2nd June 2023.
One of the respondents, Joseph Juma Buyuka is deceased after staging a hunger strike while in custody at Watamu police station
Buyuka was among Mackenzie followers who had staged a 10-day hunger strike while in custody.
He died while undergoing treatment at a Malindi hospital.
The respondents shall be remanded at Malindi, Kilifi, and Shimo La Tewa GK prisons at the discretion of the state.
SPM Shikanda ordered that they be held separately from persons who are serving a sentence or convicted and in isolation from one another as far as is practicable.
