Police want Paul Mackenzie charged with Binzaro cult deaths
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Controversial cult leader Paul Mackenzie will be enjoined in a case in which several suspects are being held over the Kwa Bi Nzaro village cult deaths, where victims are alleged to have died from starvation, Police in Malindi have said.
Detectives argue that the Kwa Bi Nzaro village cult is a continuation of the 2011–2023 Shakahola cult tragedy linked to Mackenzie, in which more than 400 people died.
The investigations into the Kwa Bi Nzaro cult case in Kilifi county have led to the recovery of 52 bodies.
On Friday, the Director of Public Prosecutions told the Malindi Magistrate’s Court that the state intends to consolidate files so that Mackenzie is enjoined in the case.
Senior Prosecution Counsel Racheal Omala told the court they are ready to charge Mackenzie.
Omala said investigators have established that Mackenzie was also involved in the Kwa Bi Nzaro cult and that the state is ready to charge him together with other suspects.
Police and the prosecution also filed an application seeking 14 more days to continue holding the nine suspects linked to the cult.
According to the state, four of the suspects should be taken for mental assessment at Malindi Sub-County Hospital before a final decision is made on their charges.
The suspects are Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, James Kahindi Kazungu and Sharleen Temba Anido.
Omala asked the court to order that the suspects be held at Malindi GK Prison pending their transfer to hospital for assessment.
She said detectives are investigating several offences committed against the deceased. These include radicalisation, facilitation of terrorist acts, engaging in organised criminal activity and murder.
Other suspects in the case include Jarius Otieno Oder, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Loice Zawadi and Safari Kenga Nzai.
Advocate Lawrence Obonyo, appearing for the suspects, opposed the application. He said the suspects have been in custody for long and asked the court to order them to take plea.
The magistrate said a ruling would be delivered on Monday.
The developments came barely a week after one of the suspects in the Shakahola massacre case pleaded guilty to 191 counts of murder.
Enos Amanya, alias Haleluya, pleaded guilty to all the counts before Mombasa High Court Judge Diana Mochache. The offences were committed between January 2021 and September 2023.
During the proceedings, the names of 11 murdered children were read out in court, while the rest were identified by initials.
The children include Seth Hinzano Ngala, Evabra Dito Ngala, Sifa Edison, Nathan Mathu, Neema Robert, Joyce Amani, Stacy Hadama, Elna Mpa, Ejah Nyaleso, Sara Peter and Patience Kahindi.
Others were identified only by gender and grave sites where bodies were exhumed.
Superintendent of Police Martin Ndegwa presented a confession he recorded from Amanya.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina read the facts of the case, stating that Amanya, together with 29 others, murdered more than 191 children.
Read morehttps://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/coast/2026-01-26-police-want-mackenzie-charged-with-kwa-bi-nzaro-cult-deaths
Content retrieved from: https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/coast/2026-01-26-police-want-mackenzie-charged-with-kwa-bi-nzaro-cult-deaths.
