Chakama ranch shareholders have refuted claims that controversial preacher Paul Makenzi bought land from them in the expansive Shakahola Forest.
Appearing before the Senate Adhoc Committee on Wednesday, July 5, the shareholders through their lawyer Philip Kiaungi said that they never sold their land to the pastor.
"My clients were not aware of any dealings where money changed hands for whatever reasons when it comes to claims that Makenzi bought the land at a cost of Sh100,000," Kiaungi told the committee.
The shareholders said that they never had any interaction with Makenzi and have termed him as a squatter who invaded their land.
"We cannot be held accountable for the Shakahola massacre. We were not aware of his religious activities," he added.
The Senate committee is investigating the deaths of Makenzi's followers in the 50,000 acres of land in Shakahola Forest, Malindi.
Earlier, there was controversy over the ownership of the land where Makenzi is believed to have buried his followers whom he instructed to fast to death.
The preacher, his wife, and 16 other co-accused are being investigated in connection with the deaths of over 240 people whose bodies were exhumed from Shakahola Forest after starving to death.
Pastor Makenzi is still in police custody.
