Shimo la Tewa Prison boss dismisses Mackenzie’s claims of threats as unfounded

The officer in charge of Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison, Abdi Willy Adan, appeared in court on Wednesday to respond to claims made by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, currently in remand custody alongside 34 co-accused persons, alleged that unidentified substances had been placed in his prison cell, which he described as a potential attempt on his life.

He also claimed to be on a hunger strike.

During his testimony before Tononoka Children’s Court Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir, Adan rejected the allegations, describing them as “unfounded.”

He assured the court that security procedures within the facility remain in place and that inmates are routinely searched when moving in and out of cell blocks.

“The prison does not provide bottled water. I want to know how the accused ended up with such items,” Adan said, questioning the reported presence of items in Mackenzie’s cell.

Adan told the court that during routine inspections conducted last Saturday, he visited various sections of the prison, including Block G, where Mackenzie is held.

He noted that Block B, which houses other Shakahola suspects, was not inspected on that day, but other areas, including Block F, a section being refurbished for inmates facing terror-related charges, were checked.

He added that he had briefly spoken with Mackenzie during the patrol.

The preacher requested a transfer to Manyani Maximum Prison, citing a need for a different environment.

The request was denied, Adan said, due to the seriousness of the charges and the logistical costs of transporting the accused between Manyani and Mombasa for frequent court appearances.

On the issue of communication, Adan explained that inmates are assigned specific days for contacting family members and legal representatives.

He said Mackenzie and his group missed their allocated day because they were attending court hearings, not because access was denied.

Addressing the hunger strike claim, Adan stated that Mackenzie had not refused food recently and that his last recorded hunger protest was in February 2025. 

While some co-accused had declined meals as of Tuesday, Mackenzie, along with Mzee Smart Deri and Steve wa Mtwapa, continued eating.

Records from the prison’s visitor log presented in court showed the last documented visit for Mackenzie was on August 28, 2025.

The prosecution, led by Jami Yamina, Rubia Betty, Owiti, Biasha Khalifa, and Ngina Mutua, opposed a defence motion to postpone proceedings over the alleged hunger strike.

“This appears deliberate by the accused person to delay justice,” Rubia said, noting that six witnesses were present and ready to testify.

Magistrate Chepchirchir dismissed the application for adjournment, stating that a hunger strike alone does not justify delaying a trial. She, however, directed that all accused persons be allowed to communicate with their legal counsel.

Mackenzie and his co-accused face multiple charges, including offences against children, linked to deaths and disappearances in the Shakahola forest.

The investigation into the cult and the massacre was initiated in March 2023.