A Mombasa High Court has ordered the hospitalisation of Paul Mackenzie and other 94 Shakahola suspects after going on a hunger strike prior to their bond hearing.
The Shakahola suspects staged a new hunger strike that made them appear weak and unable to stand on hearing forcing the court to direct their lawyer to stand in on their behalf.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution said that the suspects have not eaten for days and the office was concerned about their health thus pushing for their hospitalisation and medical check up.
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DPP however notes that the prosecution sustained their earlier stand against the court granting bail and bond terms to the accused.
The prosecution told the court that the suspects currently have no fixed homes and thus may fail to attend court sessions if released, further adding that they are at flight risk.
They also submitted that the accused persons have devotees and are religious leaders therefore may interfere with witnesses in the case.
“In the same application, the prosecution notified the court that they are opposed to the release of the accused persons on bond since they are at flight risk having abandoned their homes for Shakahola forest and the state would be at pain to locate them if released.”
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The accused persons are glaring at severe sentences if found guilty of the offences, thus releasing them would likely see them abscond court. The prosecution further notes that Mackenzie and his co-accused are likely to interfere with key witnesses including children, whom they have immense control and influence over.”
Magistrate Ithuku directed a social inquiry report on the current condition of the accused to be filed in court to guide it in a further direction.