Mombasa Law Courts Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku on Tuesday February 20, 2024 ordered that Shakahola key suspect Paul Mackenzie and 94 others be taken to hospital after staging a fresh hunger strike.

Hon. Ithuku’s directive comes after an application by the prosecution seeking to have the accused persons examined by medical practitioners on their nutrition and health condition.

The prosecution in their application indicated that there was a need for urgent intervention measures to rescue the accused persons, who are reported to have been on a hunger strike for several days.

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Principal Prosecution Counsel, Alex Gituma and Prosecution Counsel Victor Simbi and Yassir Mohamed argued that sections 13 and 15 of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Act provide for the right to nutrition, diet, and health care by a medical practitioner or nutritionist.

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.

Prosecution added that the accused persons are glaring at severe sentences if found guilty of the offences, thus releasing them would likely see them abscond court.

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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.

Hon. Ithuku directed a social inquiry report on the current condition of the accused to be filed in court to guide it on further direction.