High Court Hands Heavy Jail Terms to Mackenzie’s Shakahola Co-Convicts

The High Court in Mombasa has handed down lengthy prison sentences to 28 co-convicts of controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, with jail terms ranging from 10 to 160 years over the Shakahola massacre that claimed 191 lives.

In the sentencing delivered by Justice Diana Kavedza, the court considered the individual roles played by each convict in the deaths of 190 children and one adult at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County between January 2021 and September 2023.

Mackenzie’s deputy, Smart Deri Mwakalama, received 160 years in prison, making him one of the most heavily punished individuals in the case. The court found that he played a central role in transporting followers to Shakahola, supervising the settlement and communicating Mackenzie’s deadly fasting instructions.

Fourteen other convicts were each sentenced to 160 years. They include Steven Sanga Muye, Evans Kolombe Syria, Titus Munyao, Emanuel Amani Kilumo, Joseph Bokole, Newton Kimathi, Kahindi Robert, Alex Odari, Gilbert Kea Katana, Stephen Ngungi, Alphonse Chomba Eliud, Samuel Kenga, Ann Anyoso and Peter Ramadhan.

Another ten convicts received 140 years each. They are Steven Ominde, Julius Katana, Charles Kalume Charo, Safari Kazungu, David Amanya, Mark Kiogora, Maurice Machacha, Mary Kadzo, Simon Musembi and Mwinzi Kavenge.

Michael Mweri Baya was sentenced to 100 years behind bars.

At the lower end of the sentencing scale, Enos Amanya Ngala and Pastor Lucas Owino Ogola each received 10 years in prison. Ngala benefited from his guilty plea, cooperation with the prosecution and expression of remorse. He will also serve three years under probation after completing his sentence.

The sentences reflected the court’s assessment of individual responsibility, the seriousness of the crimes and the need to protect society from religious extremism.

Justice Kavedza emphasised that religious beliefs could never justify taking innocent lives, particularly those of vulnerable children.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/100064434804092/posts/1586224853535326/?app=fbl

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