Mombasa court drops case against two Shakahola massacre suspects

By Jabali Media

A Mombasa Court on Monday, September 9, 2024 dropped the Shakahola massacre case against two deceased accused persons.

Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku arrived at the decision, following prosecution's submission of burial permits and postmortem reports, detailing deaths of the two suspects.

According to the official death reports, both died from illness while receiving treatment in hospital.

They are Mary Charo Mbita who died in June this year at the Coast General Referral Teaching Hospital, and Edison Safari Munyambo alias Baba Sifa, who died on August 19, 2024 at Shimo la Tewa health facility.

The two bodies were released to the relatives for burial, after the conclusion of the autopsy.

Meanwhile, Ithuku directed the officer in-charge of the Shimo la Tewa women prison to appear and explain claims of maltreatment of female suspects.

The suspects including prime suspect Paul Mackenzie's wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu, alleged to have been tortured including denial of food, sleeping on the floor and physical beatings, which allegations the court intends to confirm and address.

“The magistrate indicated that the allegations raised were serious and it is prudent for the officer in-charge of the women's prison to provide a comprehensive report of the allegations,” said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a statement.

The court directed the senior prison officer to appear in court on September 11, 2024 to answer those claims. The officer was also directed to investigate the allegations and submit comprehensive findings.

Embattled and controversial Pastor, Paul Mackenzie alongside his over 90-co accused persons are charged with 283 counts of manslaughter.

They were arrested in early 2023, after reportedly ‘sweet talking’ Good News Church followers into ‘fasting to death to meet Jesus.’