By Ben Okweingoti
Police have moved to the Malindi Law Courts in Kilifi County seeking an additional 14 days to continue detaining suspects linked to the Binzaro cult, as investigations widen to include controversial preacher and Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie.
Appearing before Malindi Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Shiundu Wesonga, Senior Prosecution Counsel Racheal Omala told the court that investigators were seeking more time to consolidate files and formally enjoin Mackenzie in the case alongside other suspects.
The prosecution said it had established that Mackenzie was also involved in the Binzaro cult activities and was ready to charge him jointly with the other suspects once investigations are concluded.
Ms Omala further informed the court that four suspects connected to the Binzaro cult case would be subjected to mental assessment at Malindi Sub-County Hospital before a final decision on their charges is made. The suspects are Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, James Kahindi Kazungu and Sharleen Temba Anido.
Other suspects named in the case include Jarius Otieno Oder, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Loice Zawadi and Safari Kenga Nzai.
The prosecution requested that all suspects be remanded at Malindi GK Prison pending their transfer to hospital for mental evaluation.
According to the prosecution, detectives are investigating several serious offences allegedly committed against deceased victims, including radicalization, facilitation of terrorist acts, engaging in organized criminal activities, and murder.
“The respondents were arrested on July 19 and 20, 2025 and were arraigned before this Honourable Court on July 21, 2025, when the applicant sought and was granted custodial orders for 30 days,” Ms Omala told the court.
In a separate but related application, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through Inspector Onyango Owade, also sought more time to conclude investigations against Julius Thuva Luwali and Charles Mutua Musee, who are suspects in the Kwa Binzaro cult case.
The investigating officer said the 78 days previously granted by the court had proved insufficient due to the volume and complexity of evidence gathered.
“The inquiry files submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions contain bulky evidential material that requires more time to peruse and analyse before a decision to charge can be made. The evidence so far gathered against both respondents is overwhelming,” the application read in part.
Investigators have recommended that the two suspects be charged jointly with their accomplices in Malindi Chief Magistrate’s Court under Miscellaneous Criminal Applications Numbers E009 of 2025 and E171 of 2025 for offences including murder, manslaughter, radicalization and engaging in organized criminal activities.
However, defence lawyer Lawrence Obonyo opposed the application, arguing that the suspects had been held in custody for an unreasonably long time and urging the court to order that they take plea without further delay.
Paul Mackenzie was not present in court during the proceedings.
Magistrate Wesonga said she would deliver her ruling on the applications on Monday next week.
