Ezrah Kashumbusha.
NAIROBI, 2nd March 2024 | In a somber courtroom scene at the Malindi High Court, Kenyan pastor and cult leader of the Good News International Church, Paul Mckenzie, alongside 29 other members of his congregation, faced charges of murder in connection with the tragic Shakahola incident. The court proceedings shed light on the heinous crimes alleged to have taken place between January 2021 and September 2023 in Malindi Subcounty, Kilifi County, where 191 innocent children lost their lives.
Presiding over the proceedings, Justice Mugure Thunde directed the defense lawyer, Wycliff Masembo, to submit their arguments within one week, following which the Director of Public Prosecutions will provide a response. The gravity of the case prompted Justice Thunde to postpone the matter to March 7, 2024, allowing for meticulous examination and due process.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that one suspect, Sirya, exhibited signs of mental illness, prompting the judge to order mental health treatment for the individual. Despite the weight of the charges leveled against them, all accused individuals, including Smart Mwakalama, Stephen Muye, Evans Sirya, and others, vehemently denied their involvement in the alleged crimes.
The list of accused individuals includes names that once held positions of trust within the community. Shock reverberated as names like Kelvin Asena, Enos Amanya, and Michael Baya appeared on the list, reminding observers of the stark contrast between their previous roles and the accusations they now faced.
This legal saga is intertwined with the tragic loss of 429 lives in the Shakahola incident. Among the accused are individuals who were once regarded as pillars of their community, now facing accusations that have shaken the nation to its core. As the wheels of justice turn, families of the victims and communities affected by this tragedy yearn for closure and accountability.
