Kenya’s controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his 38 co-accused have been denied bond.
Appearing before a Mombasa court, they were directed to remain in prison until their case was heard and determined after allowing the prosecution’s application to oppose their release on bond.
“Having considered the nature of offences that the accused persons are charged with and the need to safeguard the best interests of the children who are witnesses in this matter and whom the accused may or have authority over, I find that these are compelling reasons to warrant all the accused persons to be denied bond at this point,” ruled Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir.
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The magistrate also ordered the suspects to be served with witness statements and exhibits in their children’s cruelty and torture cases.
Mackenzie and his accomplices, who are parents of children victims rescued from the Shakahola forest, are in custody after they were denied bond.
However, the court indicated that it would expedite the hearing of the case to ensure that all parties are accorded justice.
Mackenzie and his 38 co-accused were charged with 17 counts of offences under the Children Act 2012, the Prevention of Torture Act 2017, and the Basic Education Act 2013.
These charges include two counts of subjecting a child to torture with an alternative count of assault causing actual bodily harm, nine charges of cruelty to a child, and six counts of infringing a child’s right to education.
All 39 accused persons denied all the charges levelled against them.
The accused persons allegedly committed the offences on unknown dates between 2019 and 2023 at Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County.
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