The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Director of Public Prosecution has prepared 90 witnesses to give testimony against Paul Mackenzie and his co-defendants in a terrorism case at Shanzu Law Courts.
Mackenzie, along with others, faces charges related to terrorism, murder, manslaughter, and child cruelty across various courts in Malindi, Mombasa, and Tononaka.
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Allegedly members of the Good News International Ministries, the accused are accused of organizing criminal activities in Shakahola Forest from 2020 to 2023, resulting in the deaths of 448 people.
Mackenzie has been in custody for over 451 days, with his co-accused detained for more than 400 days. Testimonies began this week, with initial hearings protected from media coverage due to witness identity concerns.
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Of the witnesses, 12 are under protection, including nine children and three adults, starting with an adult victim of the Shakahola massacre.
Senior Assistant DPP Jami Yamina described Mackenzie’s group as a sophisticated criminal organization posing as a church, allegedly responsible for mass killings in Shakahola Forest. The prosecution plans to present substantial evidence, including witness testimonies, digital evidence, and crime scene reconstructions, to support their case.
The court has been requested to permit a site visit to Shakahola Forest for a deeper understanding of the crime scene. The prosecution aims to demonstrate the accused’s hierarchical structure and operational methods, emphasizing their control and enforcement capabilities through an armed militia.
The prosecution also intends to highlight an extremist ideology allegedly promoted by the accused, linking their actions to religious justifications.
Based on this evidence, they argue the defendants must be held accountable for their alleged crimes.
