Paul Nthege Mackenzie and 94 Others Charged with Terrorism-Related Charges.
Source: X/@ODPP_KE
Paul Nthege Mackenzie and 94 others were today charged before Shanzu Law Courts with terrorism-related charges. They denied all the five (5) counts they are charged with, which include engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization and facilitating the Commission of a Terrorist Act, and being in possession of an article connected with an Offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012.
It is alleged that on various dates between 2020 and 2023, the accused persons, who were members of the Good News International Ministries, an organized criminal group, engaged in organized criminal activities at Kwa Mackenzie area of Shakahola Forest, Chakama Location of Magarini Sub-County within Kilifi County, endangering lives and killing 429 members and followers.
They are also accused of promoting and/or adopting an extreme belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence, namely fasting to death by advancing religious change, which occurred between 2020 and 2023 at Shakahola Forest within Kilifi County. The accused persons are also said to have facilitated the commission of a terrorist act by transporting the members and followers of Good News International Ministries between Shakahola Forest and Malindi Township within Kilifi County, thereby endangering their lives.
It is alleged that Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and two others, within the same period at Furunzi area in Malindi Sub-County within Kilifi County, were found knowingly in possession of CDs, DVDs, books and pamphlets for use in instigating the commission of a terrorist act, namely endangering the lives of the members and followers of the Good News International Ministries. The prosecution team filed an affidavit in its opposition to bail/bond.
The hearing of the application to oppose bond/bail is scheduled for 8th February, 2024. The matter is prosecuted by DDPP, Mr. Victor Mule; SADPP, Mr. Peter Kiprop; ADPP, Mr. Jami Yamina; PPC, Mr. Victor Owiti; PPC, Ms. Betty Rubia and PPC, Mr. Anthony Musyoka.
Earlier on January 17, 2024, Paul Nthege Mackenzie and 30 others were arraigned before the High Court in Malindi to face 191 counts of murder charges of the minors. The prosecution team, led by Deputy Director Public Prosecutions, Mr. Victor Mule, however, made an application before Lady Justice Mugure Thande to defer the plea for 14 days pending a mental assessment of the suspects.
The prosecution team, comprising of DDPP, Mr. Victor Mule; SADPP, Mr. Peter Kiprop; ADPP, Mr. Jami Yamina; SPPC, Ms. Ngina Mutua; and PPC, Victor Owiti, informed the court that the issue of a bond can only be canvassed once the suspects take a plea and that the prosecution will be opposing bail/bond. The court heard that 95 suspects will appear before the Shanzu law courts tomorrow, 18th January 2024, to face terrorism-related charges, namely engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, and being in possession of an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2012.
The 95 suspects will also be charged with 238 counts of manslaughter contrary to Section 202, as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code, before the Chief Magistrate Court in Mombasa on Tuesday, 23rd January 2024, while the 39 suspects will be charged with cruelty against children and other charges before Tononoka Law Courts on Thursday, 25th January 2024.
In her ruling, Hon. Mugure directed that each suspect be subjected to a psychiatrist assessment and the report tabled in court before a plea is taken. The judge also directed the Kenya Prisons Service to provide treatment to the suspects. The murder case will be mentioned on 6th February 2024 before the High Court in Malindi for plea-taking for the 31 murder suspects.
