Pastor Makenzi freed by Malindi court, re-arrested on terrorism charges

Pastor Paul Makenzie, dressed in pink attire, is escorted by police to Shanzu Law Courts after being re-arrested. The pastor had previously been freed by a Malindi court but was later taken rearrested to face charges related to terrorism. [Robert Menza, Standard]

Pastor Paul Nthenge Makenzi of the Good News International church, was on Tuesday, May 2, released by a Malindi court after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) requested the closure of his case file.

However, Makenzi and six others who appeared before Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike were rearrested and taken to Shanzu Law courts in Mombasa to face charges related to terrorism and radicalization.

The prosecution, led by Vivian Kambaga, applied for the closure of Makenzi's case at the Malindi law courts saying, Makenzi was set to face serious charges that fell outside the jurisdiction of the Malindi courts.

Wasike allowed the application, resulting in the unconditional release of Makenzi and the six others.

Security was tight both inside and outside the courtroom, and officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) were stationed to prevent any security threat from the crowd that had gathered outside.

Families of victims and civil society organizations, led by Haki Afrika's Mathias Shipeta, welcomed the ruling, stating that Makenzi needed to face charges related to serious crimes against humanity.