A Shanzu court in Mombasa Monday, July 3 ordered Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his 17 aides to continue being held for 60 more days to allow detectives complete investigations.
The court however ordered the release of Mackenzies wife Rhoda Mumbua on a personal bond with one surety of Sh100,000.
Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda in his ruling stated that if released the other suspects are likely to interfere with ongoing investigations.
Mumbua was released on the condition that she attends all court sessions.
Shikanda said the evidence and investigations presented in court do not directly link the woman to any offense.
Additionally, the prosecution had not made submissions on any case against Mumbua, or why she should continue being detained in relation to Shakahola’s deaths.
Rhoda was arrested on May 2 and has been in police custody alongside her husband Mackenzie, and other suspects linked to the Shakahola cult.
Mackenzie is being investigated for crimes including aiding suicide, after allegedly convincing members of his Good News International Church to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus.
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The cult leader and tens of suspects have been arrested amid investigations and a court case to establish what happened in Shakahola.
The death toll from the Shakahola starvation cult stands at 339.
Mackenzie, who is in police custody, is being investigated for influencing his followers to starve to death in order to meet their maker.
Police also suspect that some of the victims did not starve to death and may have been killed and then buried on the property.
He has denied wrongdoing but has been refused bail.
He insists that he shut down his church in 2019.
The followers say he told them to starve themselves in order to “meet Jesus”.
