Senior Principal magistrate at Shanzu has declined the request to detain Controversial Kilifi preacher Paul Makenzie for more days as requested by the directorate of criminal investigations, DCI in a miscellaneous application Tuesday.

The magistrate court directed the state to prefer charges against Mackenzie and the co-accused within the next 14 days.

Magistrate YUSUF ABDALLAH SHIKANDA highlighted that Makenzie and the rest of the suspects have been in custody in what is the longest pre-charge detention in the history of the country following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 threatening that If no decision to charge the respondents will have been made after the expiry of 14 days, the court will consider releasing the Mackenzie and the other suspects.

The DCI has for 117 days detained Makenzie and others for in a miscellaneous application presented to the court under provisions of the Prevention of terrorism act of the Victim Protection Act.

Makenzie is being investigated for influencing his followers to starve to death to meet their maker.

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Magistrate Shikanda noted that the time earlier granted to the state was sufficient time within which the pending investigations ought to have been completed.

Makenzie, pastor of Good News International is being held in connection with the deaths of over 400 people in a suspected starvation cult in Shakahola, Kilifi County.

More than 429 people have been confirmed dead in the suspected cults so far, with over 600 people still reported missing.

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