A fresh application has been filed in court seeking orders to detain controversial preacher Paul Makenzie and his co-suspects for six months (180 days).
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jami Yamina submitted before Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda that detectives need more time to enable to conclude investigations into the Shakahola massacre.
The prosecution filed the application after the lapse of an earlier court order that directed further detention of Makenzie and his co-suspects for 47 days.
In the application, the DPP’s office points out that pathologists require at least 6 months to complete the DNA profiling process to establish the true identity of the exhumed bodies conclusively.
The application, supported by an affidavit from Chief Inspector Raphael Wanjohi, reveals that DNA profiling of 429 bodies exhumed from the Shakahola forest is delicate, expensive, hard and time-consuming.
The court however adjourned the hearing of the application to allow lawyers representing Makenzie and his co-suspects to file their responses.
At the same time, the probation service also sought 30 days to conclude the social inquiry report.
The matter will be mentioned on 12 October 2023.
