Pastor Mackenzie Loses Two Lawyers Over Threats From State

Two lawyers, George Kariuki and Elisha Komora, who were representing controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused on Wednesday, June 14 requested to withdraw from the case over alleged threats to their safety.

Speaking to the media, the two advocates claimed that their withdrawal was a result of frustration from the state in handling the case against their clients.

While claiming that their conscience was disturbed during the case, the lawyers also accused the state of facing challenges while trying to access their client before the court proceedings.

Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie appears in court in Malindi on May 2, 2023. /AFP

Lawyer Kariuki pointed out the torrid circumstances that Mackenzie went through while in custody, indicating that he slept on the floor for over 60 days and that the grave conditions could kill Mackenzie before standing trial.

“Since the beginning of the case, despite our calls for our clients to be treated well, our efforts have been in vain,” said Kariuki.

“We have tried begging them to make it easier for us to reach our clients while in police cells, but the state is giving mere reasons,” Komora on his part weighed in.

A third lawyer, Wycliffe Makasembo, remained with Mackenzie while affirming that he would stand by him till the bitter end.

“For Whichever case, I will stand with Mackenzie and the rest until further a do, nothing will make me abandon them.

“But what I want to insist is for the state to make it easy for this matter to continue," Makasembo urged, though he expressed that the suspects would get justice in the end.

The lawyer also urged the chief magistrate of the Shanzu Law courts in Mombasa Yusuf Shikanda to stay away from any external pressures trying to control the flow of the case.

Mackenzie, his wife Rhodha Mumbua and 16 other suspects appeared at Shanzu Law Courts to determine whether their detention period would be extended.

Some had however collapsed within the court premises as their bodies were too weak. Senior Prosecution Council Jami Yamina revealed that the 16 suspects were on a 10-day hunger strike as a way of standing together with Mackenzie.

However, Mackenzie and his assistant Smart Mwakalama had been eating all the meals they were served.

“We fear that some of them will lose their lives while in custody. The rest of them went on a hunger strike 10 days ago and refused to eat or drink water."

“We have to address this matter now because we do not know if these people will be alive tomorrow,” Yamina indicated.

As the suspects were led out of a police van, some of them were unable to walk, with one of the men falling down and being unable to stand as his body was too frail.

On Monday, June 12, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed that it will charge the suspects for attempted suicide by absconding meals to show solidarity for the controversial pastor.

The ODPP noted that the Mackenzie followers would undergo mental and medical assessments in prison despite their determination to continue fasting adding that they would be forced to eat.

Pastor Mackenzie and his wife went on a hunger strike on June 7, 2023, while in prison following Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki's threat that they would be jailed for life.

"Mackenzie will not get out of jail. He will age in it. We pray that God gives him more years to see Kenya's security prosper."

"He will not get out of jail... Mackenzie will meet the wrath of God after jail," Kindiki vowed.