Cult leader Paul Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Maweu and 16 other co-accused persons will continue being in police custody for another six days, a Magistrate Court has ruled.
The 18 are being held in connection with the deaths of over 240 people whose bodies were exhumed from Shakahola forest after starving to death.
They were brought back to court on Friday after spending 30 days in police custody.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) requested the court to allow police to continue holding the suspects for another 60 days.
Senior Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamina told the Shanzu Magistrate Court that they require more time to complete investigations.
"There still exists compelling reasons to deny the respondents bail pending completion of the investigations and charges. The evidence gathered demonstrates a high likelihood of serious charges against the accused buttressed by capital offence for which the state shall pursue the maximum sentence available in the books," Yamina said.
The DPP also filed a new affidavit by Investigation Officer Inspector Raphael Wanjohi to support the 60-day extension.
However, the defence team led by George Kariuki, opposed the request to extend detention period, saying the State ought to have filed a new application.
"In the absence of a new application seeking to continue holding the respondents, then they should be admitted to bond terms or set to liberty as State continues with its investigations," Kairuki said.
Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda ruled that the State is right to request for additional days.
"The respondents have failed to demonstrate any prejudice they will suffer in any way. Therefore, the objection is dismissed," Shikanda ruled.
He said he will allow the defence team the six-day period to file responses to the request by the DPP.
"I therefore, find it illogical for their release pending the responses from their legal counsels. In the meantime, they will stay in remand until Wednesday," said Shikanda.
