Irony? Paul Mackenzie alleges cops are denying him food

Controversial Malindi pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, his wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu and 16 other suspects have accused police officers of denying them food and beating them.

Speaking to journalists in the Shanzu court on Friday, Mackenzie who has not yet been formally charged alleged that some of the officers who are holding them have been harassing and starving them since they were arrested for serious allegations against them.

"We've been deprived of food, yes, and some of us have even been beaten, yes," Mackenzie complained.

The suspects appeared in court on Friday with the prosecution requesting further detention to complete investigations.

The lawyers representing the defendants, Elisha Komora and George Kariuki, told the court that their clients were being abused.

"The government's claim that the suspects should continue to be held so that they can get food, is misleading. This morning all the suspects did not have breakfast, they were denied food for two days since they left the court on May 2," said Komora.

He added, "The 3 accused were also beaten in the police cell. For the government to say that they are having a good time under police custody is misleading".

He also said Mackenzie's wife, who was arrested with their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, has been forced to buy food and water for the child.

Paul Mackenzie, who is the leader of the Good News International Church, is facing serious charges of murder, advising and assisting people to commit suicide, kidnapping, promoting extremism, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, fraud among others.

On Friday, the prosecution team handling the case against him asked the court to allow the government to detain the suspect, and his co-accused, for an additional 90 days to allow for the completion of the investigation.

The prosecutors made the request before Shanzu chief judge Yusuf Abdallah Shikanda on the grounds that the suspects may interfere with the investigation and suffer harm after being released.