Prison authority denies allegations of food poisoning by Makenzi
In the ongoing trial of preacher Paul Makenzi and his co-accused, the officer in charge of Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison, Abdi Adan, has refuted claims of a food and water poisoning attempt against Makenzi.
Adan detailed his regular patrols, including a Saturday visit when he inspected Block F (under construction for terror suspects) and Block G (where Makenzi is held), but not Block B, which houses Shakahola suspects. The prison's visitor register, presented by Adan, shows the last visit to the facility was on August 28.
Makenzi and his group, facing charges including kidnapping, cruelty, torture, and violating the right to education, missed their designated days to contact relatives and lawyers due to being in court, not because access was denied. The magistrate directed that the accused be granted access to their lawyers.
Makenzi claimed he had not eaten or drunk water for four days out of fear for his life, stating that he discovered bottles next to his food in his cell containing a pink substance he suspected was poison. However, Adan dismissed these claims, stating that the last such protest by Makenzi was in February and that the facility does not supply bottled water.
The magistrate rejected the adjournment request, ruling that self-imposed hunger strikes are not grounds to stall proceedings. The defence's request for an adjournment was made due to the alleged hunger strike by Makenzi and his group.
Adan also addressed the allegations of the illegal sneaking of bottled water into the prison, stating that such an act is prohibited. He further testified that Makenzi, Smart Deri, and Steve wa Mtwapa continued to take meals, while 31 co-accused had refused to eat since the previous day.
The prosecution team, consisting of Jami Yamina, Rubia Betty, J.V. Owiti, Biasha Khalifa, and Ngina Mutua, opposes the defence's request for an adjournment over the alleged hunger strike, arguing it is a tactic to delay proceedings. Rubia, a member of the prosecution team, stated that six prosecution witnesses are present and ready to testify.
The court adjourned temporarily to allow Makenzi to eat food ordered by the court and prepare for trial. Authorities have linked the accused to the Good News International (GNI) cult, from which 488 bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in the Shakahola forest. The trial continues.
