Mackenzie goes on hunger strike over Kindiki remarks

His lawyer said Kindiki's statement was totally unwarranted.

News

• Mackenzie's lawyer said the decision was reached following the remarks uttered by Kindiki that he will ensure that the preacher serves a life sentence.

• He said Kindiki's statement was unlawful, demanding a fair trial for his clients. 

Paul Mackenzie
Image: The-Star

Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused have staged a hunger strike, his lawyer Wycliff Makasembo has said.

Speaking in Shanzu Court, Mackenzie's lawyer said the decision was reached following the remarks uttered by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki that he will ensure that the preacher serves a life sentence.

He said Kindiki's statement was unlawful, demanding a fair trial for his clients. 

"As I address your honor, some of the respondents have now resulted in a hunger strike. The words that were uttered by the CS are dangerous, unlawful, and totally unwarranted," the counsel said. 

The lawyer demanded assurance that the case hearing was going to be fair, from the chief justice, chairperson of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the DCI, and the Law Society of Kenya.

Speaking on Sunday during a Church Service, the CS said Mackenzie's crime amounts to a lifetime sentence in jail.

"Mackenzie will not get out of jail, he will age in there. We pray that God gives him more years to see Kenya's security prosper. He will not get out of jail... Mackenzie will meet the wrath of God after jail," he said.

The CS added that even if the court sets Mackenzie free, he will still be returned to prison.

Kindiki said they were collecting enough evidence to ensure the preacher spends the rest of his life behind bars.

The Good News International Church pastor is accused of brainwashing his followers to starve to death in the belief that they will meet Jesus. 

Currently, 45 people have been apprehended in connection to the cult.

On Tuesday, detectives exhumed nine more bodies, increasing the death toll to 251.

This is not the first time that the preacher has gone on a hunger strike.

Shortly after his arrest in April, police reported that the preacher had refrained from meals for four days.

This was at a time when security agencies had entered the second day of exhumation at the 800-acre Shakahola forest.  

Then, he claimed he was on a fasting and prayer period.

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