On 17th of January 2024, Paul Nthege Mackenzie, the primary suspect in the Shakahola massacre, along with 30 others, appeared before the High Court in Malindi.
They faced a daunting 191 counts of murder charges related to minors.
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The court has requested for a mental assessment of the suspects before they are allowed to take plea.
Addressing Lady Justice Mugure Thande, the prosecution team, consisting of Victor Mule, Peter Kiprop, Jami Yamina, Ngina Mutua, and Victor Owiti explained that the issue of bond could only be discussed after the suspects entered their pleas.
They emphasized the prosecution’s intention to oppose any bail or bond requests.
The court learned that an additional 95 suspects would face terrorism-related charges at the Shanzu law courts on the 18th of January 2024.
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The charges included engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, facilitating terrorist acts, and possession of items connected with offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2012.
Furthermore, the 95 suspects would face 238 counts of manslaughter at the Chief Magistrate Court in Mombasa.
The Shakahola suspects will be in court again on the 23rd of January 2024.
An additional 39 suspects would face charges of cruelty against children.
Further, the suspects will be charged for other offences before Tononoka Law Courts on the 25th of January 2024.
In her ruling, Hon. Mugure directed that each suspect undergo a psychiatric assessment.
Judge new order
The resulting report should be presented in court before pleas are entered.
The judge further instructed the Kenya Prisons Service to provide necessary treatment to the suspects.
The murder case is set to be mentioned on the 6th of February 2024 before the High Court in Malindi, marking the next step in the legal process for the 31 murder suspects.
