The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, has given approval for the filing of ten criminal charges, including murder and terrorism, against 95 suspects linked to the Shakahola massacre, which resulted in the loss of over 430 lives.
The decision follows a thorough review of the investigation file provided by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, with the DPP finding sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against the suspects.
The suspects will be presented before both the High Court and Magistrate court to face charges related to the tragedy that claimed the lives of adherents of the Good News International Church. Under the Penal Code, charges will include offenses such as murder, manslaughter, and assault causing bodily harm.
Additionally, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010, charges will encompass engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and being in possession of an article connected with an offense under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012.
Furthermore, the suspects will face charges under the Children Act, Prevention of Torture Act, and the Basic Education Act, 2013, including offenses such as subjecting a child to torture, cruelty to a child, and infringing a child’s right to education.
The suspects, including suspected Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his 29 associates, have been in custody since May of the previous year in connection with the deaths. An additional 66 individuals rescued from the forest during the investigations have also been held in prison. Following a directive from the Shanzu court last week, the state has 14 days to file charges against the suspects, or they may be released on bond.
The first batch of suspects is expected to be formally charged at the Malindi High Court, with subsequent batches facing charges in different courts in Shanzu, Malindi, and Tononoka Court in Mombasa, addressing various matters, including child offenses. The Kilifi County Criminal Investigation team is actively preparing the cases for arraignment.
