Africa-Press – Kenya. The state is seeking orders to be allowed to record statements from the 65 victims who were rescued from Shakahola Forest.
According to the Director of Public Prosecution, the statements will be able to uncover the roles the individuals played in the deaths of more than 425 persons whose bodies are been exhumed from the 800-acre forest since April.
They are believed to be followers of Good News International Church of cult leader Paul Mackenzie, who had allegedly forced them to fast to death in orders to die and ‘see Jesus.’
While being rescued from the forest on diverse dates between May and late June this year, most of the victims were in critical condition and showed signs of starvation.
The victims, most of whom have spent about three months at Sahajanad Rescue Centre in Mtwapa, are now said to be fit after regaining their health.
Between June 6 an 10, at Sahajanad centre, they staged a hunger strike but later agreed to cooperate with the state after they were taken to Shimo la Tewa Prison for three nights.
According to the DPP, some of the 65 victims — 26 male victims and 39 female victims, failed to give their true identities while they were being rescued.
They are accused of giving out a well-scripted and choreographed version of stories that failed to account for the status of their own families and children.
Most of the victims had left for Shakahola with their children and spouses, who are now believed to have died and buried in that forest.
Last month, Shanzu senior principal magistrate Joe Omido ordered that all the victims undergo a medical and mental health assessment.
Only two, out of the 65, are said to have shown signs of mental breakdown.
The state said they are taking care of those who have shown mental problems and they are also working to trace their families.
On Monday afternoon, assistant DPP Jami Yamina told the Shanzu magistrate court that the victims are now ready to record statements with the investigators.
Jami said the survivors that were found to be sound mentally can have meaningful engagement with the investigators with the assistance of the advocates of their choice or with legal aid from state and rights organisations.
“They (victims) need to provide a proper account of their role and involvement in the deaths of the people who died at Shakahola Forest,” Yamina said.
During his submissions, the assistant DPP also told the court that there is a need to also hold the male and female victims in separate detention facilities as required by the law.
This, he said, ensures their rights to medical attention, nutritional diet and any other complaints and redress mechanism are in put place.
He suggested that they should be transferred from Sahajanad Rescue Centre to Shimo la Tewa prison, where they will also be proper record keeping.
This will also help the police in concluding their investigation on time before they prefer any charges against them, he said.
According to Yamina, the police have also been able to gather enough evidence through the other surviving victims who have been cooperative.
At the same time, he urged the court not to release the victims before they are subjected to mandatory deradicalisation, disengagement and reintegration processes.
This, he said, will prevent further recruitment within communities.
“Shakahola is no longer just a place, it was a mindset and an ideology that could be disseminated through the individuals who were rescued.”
The case will continue next week Thursday, July 31.
This will be a day before the main suspect, Mackenzie, and the 30 co-accused suspects are brought back to court after two months of detention.
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