High Court Judge Wendy Kagendo has decreed that Paul Mackenzie and seven other defendants must complete mental health evaluations before they begin their formal murder and related charges proceedings, which stem from the Kwa Binzaro incident in Kilifi County.
The Mombasa High Court decision that judges made on Wednesday demonstrates that the defendants’ mental state needs assessment, yet it represents a crucial point in developing one of Kenya’s most complicated mass death investigations.
The Shakahola forest massacre, which resulted in the exhumation of more than 400 bodies, has already made Mackenzie a notorious figure who now faces homicide charges for the 52 deaths discovered at Kwa Binzaro between January and July 2025, according to terror-related offenses and manslaughter charges.
The prosecutors charged the group with running an organized criminal enterprise while they also accused members of the group of their part in radicalizing people through their extremist beliefs, which caused follower deaths.
Eight defendants required mental evaluation because they appeared before Judge Kagendo after they had been arraigned for terrorism and manslaughter charges in separate Mombasa and Shanzu court proceedings.
The judge declared that psychiatric evaluation at a hospital needs to finish before the next hearing, which took place on Wednesday. The court established March 4, 2026, as the next date for case proceedings when the court expects defendants to enter pleas after they finish their evaluations.
The judge explained that lawyers from both sides must understand the mental condition of each defendant before murder charges, which carry life sentences, can be addressed. The assessments will evaluate three areas, which include competency, capacity to understand court proceedings, and psychological stability, because these factors will create major changes in trial proceedings.
The prosecution team, which includes Senior Assistant DPP Esther Macharia and other main prosecutors, will present new evidence in court after the assessments. Defense teams will contest any evidence that indicates their clients have reduced capacity or psychological disorders that impact their ability to defend themselves.
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