The hearing of the prime suspect in the Shakahola case involving Pastor Paul Mackenzie is set to resume today at the Mombasa High Court before Justice Diana Kavedza.
Mackenzie, alongside dozens of co-accused persons, faces charges in connection with the deaths of hundreds of people, including children, whose bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County.
The victims are alleged to have died after being subjected to a starvation cult.
The proceedings hit a snag on August 11, when the matter came up for hearing but failed to proceed.
The prosecution informed the court that investigators had uncovered new leads, prompting the need to amend the charges. They sought an adjournment to align the case file and finalise the changes.
Justice Kavedza, visibly displeased with the delay, criticised the slow pace at which the matter was progressing, noting that substantial public resources had already been committed to setting up the hearing.
She nonetheless granted the prosecution’s request, adjourning the case to August 12 to allow time for the amendments.
When the trial resumed, the court heard testimony from a prosecution witness, with more witnesses lined up to give evidence in the coming sessions.
Today’s hearing is expected to feature additional witness
accounts as the prosecution continues to present its case against Mackenzie and
his co-accused.
