Murkomen has pledged separate prison custody for Paul Mackenzie to prevent radicalisation.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen says separate custody will prevent Paul Mackenzie from spreading extremist teachings among fellow prisoners.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has outlined a Mackenzie isolation plan to prevent radicalisation in prison. He said the government would keep the preacher apart from other inmates and restrict his interactions.
Speaking during a Sunday church service in Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega, Murkomen pledged to provide a secluded custody area. His announcement followed intelligence reports alleging that Mackenzie had attempted to radicalise inmates and police officers while in custody.
The move comes days after the High Court in Mombasa sentenced Mackenzie to 200 years in prison. The case concerned 191 Shakahola deaths, including those of 190 children and one adult.
Mackenzie isolation plan targets influence behind bars
Murkomen said separate custody would prevent Mackenzie from using prison to spread extremist religious teachings. The government also fears that vulnerable inmates could adopt his beliefs and establish similar movements after release.
The proposed arrangement would therefore limit the preacher’s access to fellow prisoners as he serves his sentence. Murkomen framed the restrictions as a measure against further radicalisation through religious indoctrination.
Meanwhile, the Interior CS praised the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Judiciary. He commended their work in securing the conviction.
Murkomen also pledged firm government action against religious extremism and radicalisation. However, he said those efforts must preserve the constitutional right to freedom of worship.
Court findings in the Shakahola killings
Justice Diana Kavedza-Mochache imposed consecutive 100-year terms for 183 murder counts involving starvation and eight involving direct homicide. The court also convicted 28 co-accused, who received prison terms ranging from 10 to 160 years.
The court found that Mackenzie directed a system of religious indoctrination. He instructed followers to starve themselves and their children in preparation for meeting Jesus.
Prosecutors presented forensic evidence, medical reports and witness testimony describing how intimidation, violence and confinement enforced the fasting. Those findings formed part of the case against Mackenzie and his co-accused.
The Shakahola tragedy emerged in 2023 when investigators discovered mass graves in Kilifi County. They eventually recovered hundreds of bodies from the forest.
Despite the sentencing, Mackenzie continues to face separate court proceedings over other alleged offences.
