From Allafrica · · 1m 10s
Kenya Court Convicts Shakahola Murder Accused
Kenya's high court convicts 29 Shakahola cult members for 191 murders, sentencing by November 6.
In brief
Kenya's high court convicts 29 Shakahola cult members for 191 murders, sentencing by November 6. Kenya's high court convicted 29 people in the Shakahola starvation cult case for 191 murders, including 190 children, with sentencing set for November 6. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Court Convicts 29 Shakahola Accused
The High Court has convicted all 29 accused persons in the Shakahola starvation cult case linked to self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie.
“the court rejected the defence argument that the victims, all but one of whom were children below the age of 16, had voluntarily fasted to death”
Guilty of 191 Murders
The court found them guilty of the murder of 191 people, including 190 children, under Section 203 of the Penal Code.
“i am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case against all the 29 accused persons for the murder of 190 children and one adult contrary to section 203 of the penal code”
Sentence Set for November 6
The judge, Diana Kavedza, said the sentence would be delivered in open court on Friday, November 6, with the convicts to be physically produced in court.
“i reject the defence by the accused persons that the victims who were all below the age of 16 years voluntarily fasted to death”
All 29 Convicted Under Criminal Procedure Code
The court convicted all 29 accused under Section 322 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with one pleading guilty to all counts.
“mackenzie was among those convicted on all 191 counts of murder alongside the other accused persons”
Probation Officers Assigned
The court directed Probation and Aftercare Services to assign each convict an individual probation officer for pre-sentence reports.
“the court ordered that no probation officer should interview more than one convict”
Sentencing Timeline
Pre-sentence reports due October 30, with mitigation submissions by defence ahead of November 6 sentencing.
“the court noted it had received 68 victim impact statements from probation officers across the country”
At a glance
Kenya's high court convicted 29 people in the Shakahola starvation cult case for 191 murders, including 190 children, with sentencing set for November 6.
