Mackenzie now wants the Gov’t to provide enough food & beddings for them in custody
Pastor Paul Mackenzie is asking the court to order the state to give him and the other co-accused sufficient food and bedding while they are being held in custody.
After forcing the churchgoers to fast, the preacher and the others are now being held on terrorism-related charges.
The accused, through their attorney(s), expressed concern about pneumonia complications during their appearance before the Shanzu Law Courts on May 10 due to the condition of the facilities they are being held in.
They said that while they were being held, they were not receiving adequate food or bedding, which exposed them to illnesses.
In addition to their basic need, the accused also requests the opportunity to contact their loved ones while they are still in custody.
Mackenzie and his co-accused will continue to be held in detention as the prosecution gathers evidence to charge them.
The accused were ordered to remain in custody starting on May 3 for a maximum of 30 days by Shanzu Law courts.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), which had asked for 90 days to permit complete investigations, was denied in the court’s decision.
The preacher and his co-accused are to be held seperately in the police stations of Malindi, Marereni, Watamu, Mtwapa, and Bamburi.
The preacher had previously complained about ill-treatment while in police custody.
His lawyers, Elisha Komora and George Kariuki dismissed assertions by the prosecution that they were better off in police custody and were being well taken care of by the police.
During proceedings at the Shanzu Law Courts on Friday, May 5, Komora informed the court that for two days since they left the court on Tuesday, May 2.
He explained that even before coming to court, they were denied breakfast by the police officers.
“The assertions by the State that the suspects should continue being held to be nourished are misleading. This morning, all the respondents did not have breakfast. The respondents were denied food for two days since they left the court on May 2,” said Komora.
Mackenzie is facing charges classified as those related to terrorism after forcing the faithful of his Goods News International church to fast to death.
