Government to detain Shakahola cult pastor Paul Makenzie for more 180 days

A new application has been submitted to the court asking for a six-month (180-day) detention order for notorious evangelist Paul Makenzie and his co-accused.

Before Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jami Yamina argued that investigators need additional time to complete their inquiries into the Shakahola tragedy.

After a previous court order that mandated Makenzie and his co-suspects’ continued imprisonment for 47 days had expired, the prosecution filed their application.

The DPP’s office notes in the application that pathologists need at least 6 months to finish the DNA fingerprinting procedure in order to indisputably confirm the retrieved remains’ real identities.

The application discloses that DNA analysis of the 429 remains unearthed from the Shakahola forest is sensitive, costly, difficult, and laborious. It has been backed by an affidavit from Chief Inspector Raphael Wanjohi.

However, the court postponed the application proceeding so that the counsel for Makenzie and his co-accused could submit their reply.

The penal agency also requested 30 days to complete the social inquiry report at the same time. The subject of the discussion will be addressed on October 12, 2023.