Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie, his wife Rhodha Mumbua and 16 other co-accused persons have been staging a hunger strike while in police custody.
On Wednesday, the 18 suspects were presented at the Shanzu Law Court in Mombasa for a hearing on whether to extend their detention.
As they alighted from the police vehicles, a number of suspects appeared extremely frail, unable to walk into the courtroom.
One of the suspects could not sit upright even with support from helpers.
Police said the suspects have been on a 7-day hunger strike during their detention in various stations.
16 Shakahola starvation cult suspects currently on hunger strike arraigned at Shanzu Law Court pic.twitter.com/3tXQEZBtUB
Last week, police were granted more time to detain Mackenzie and his co-accused pending investigations and to allow the hearing of an application seeking a further 60-day detention.
“Prosecution through Coast Deputy Regional Head, Jami Yamina, told the court that there were compelling reasons to deny the suspects bail, citing the complexity of the investigations,” the ODPP noted.
