Makenzi embarks on hunger strike in prison for fear of poisoning
Coast
By
Joackim Bwana
| Sep 02, 2025
Controversial Preacher Paul Makenzi who is accused of the murder of his followers has not eaten food or drunk water for the last four days, fearing that he may be poisoned.
Makenzi told Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir that he found bottles next to his food in his cell that had traces of a pink substance he suspected was poison.
The court was forced to adjourn to allow Makenzi to eat the food ordered by the court from the carpenter, and prepare his mind for the trial, which shall proceed today.
Makenzi and his 37 co-accused are facing kidnapping, cruelty, torture, and infringement of the right to education, among other child-related offences.
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Some 488 bodies of the followers of Good News International (GNI), linked to controversial pastor Paul Makenzi, were retrieved from the shallow graves inside the Shakahola forest.
Yesterday, Chepchirchir bought Makenzi bread, water, and milk after revealing that he had not eaten anything for four days since Friday.
Through his lawyer, Lawrence Obonyo, Makenzi said that he is paranoid and is unable to eat after the incident.
The magistrate directed that Makenzi be provided and consume bread and milk in front of his lawyer and judicial staff.
Chepchirchir also said that the distribution of food shall be done by judicial staff for the remaining part of the trial, during court appearances.
"The 1st accused (Makenzi) shall be provided with food (milk and bread), which he shall consume in the presence of his counsel and a judicial staff," said Chepchirchir.
The magistrate issued a summons to the person in charge, Shimo La Tewa, to shed light on the poison allegations.
"The person in charge of Shimo La Tewa maximum prisons is hereby summoned to attend court on the 3rd September 2025 at 9.00am to shed light or answer to allegations by the 1st accused," said Chepchirchir.
The magistrate further ordered Obonyo to make a formal petition to the court that has jurisdiction to address the violation, denial, infringement of, or threat to Makenzi's rights and fundamental freedoms.
She also directed Makenzi to lodge a complaint with the police on the allegations made for a proper investigation to be conducted.
"The exhibits (an unopened bottle of water and two folded papers containing broken glasses) will be retained by defence counsel awaiting investigation upon making a report," said Chepchirchir.
She ordered the person in charge of Shimo Law Tewa prison to allow Makenzi and all the accused persons to communicate with their counsel whenever there is a need to do so.
In May 2025, Dr Florence Mueni, a clinical psychologist and therapist, told Chepchirchir that the children rescued three years ago battled severe mental health issues.
In her report, Dr Mueni said that some children suffered from anger and stress disorders and repeated nightmares associated with the cruelty and torture of fellow children and adults.
Dr Mueni handled 13 children who narrated how they were ordered not to cry for their siblings and parents who succumbed after several forced starvations.
The medical reports indicate that some were hit in the head by blunt objects, others suffocated, but others starved to death after the doomsday cult told them the world was coming to an end.