A suspect in the 2023 Shakahola massacre that left more than 400 people dead after coercion into extended fasting is set to record a fresh statement today after the High Court in Mombasa allowed his application to make a new confession against the main suspect and cult leader Paul Mackenzie.
Justice Diana Kavedza ordered yesterday that Enos Amanya Ngala alias Hallelujah record a formal confession at the Chief Magistrate’s court and be consequently separated from the rest of the defendants in the murder trial.
The judge directed the suspect to testify to his involvement in the crimes in a truthful manner.
The development will see the suspect turned into a State witness under the plea bargaining law which is expected to boost the prosecution’s case in ensuring action is taken against the perpetrators of the horrific crime.
Ngala is the 7th accused person in the ongoing murder trial and faces 191 counts including terrorism, murder, manslaughter and child cruelty alongside Mackenzie and 29 others.
The main suspect is accused of inciting, coercing and influencing his followers- men, women and children into extending fasting that led to hundreds of deaths.
PLEA BARGAINING
The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions has maintained that it remains open to entering into a formal plea bargaining agreement with Ngala but based on substance and credibility of his testimony.
The agreement will see the accused person get an easier sentence for the offence.
