State to confiscate Paul Mackenzie's property, DPP Nordin Haji says

Director of Public Prosecution, Noordin Haji at the farm of Paul Mackenzie of good news international at Shakahola, Malindi in Kilifi County. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has said that the government is currently tracing assets owned by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie for confiscation.

Haji in a statement to newsrooms said that the scenes in Shakahola, Kilifi County where more than 90 bodies have been exhumed from the pastor's 800-acre farm are shocking to the human conscience.

"We are deeply appalled by the horrific and heinous crimes committed in Shakahola village. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims," reads the statement.

Haji says that preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects may have committed serious crimes including, murder; procuring, counselling and aiding persons to kill themselves as well as terrorist acts by threatening national security and public safety and radicalization.

He says that his office has since obtained a court order to continue with the exhumation process in the expansive farm.

The DPP says that investigations into the activities of Mackenzie and other suspects show that they may have been promoting radical belief systems for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious or social change.

Haji says that the decision to charge will be made based on the evidence collected. "The ODPP undertakes to ensure that the rights of the victims are upheld at all times, and where necessary, we will seek special protection measures."