Three Kwa Binzaro cult suspects granted bond pending investigation
The trio had been arrested for allegedly selling a five-acre piece of land to the main suspect, Sherleen Temba Anido.
Malindi High Court has allowed three people connected to the Kwa Binzaro cult investigation to be released on bond while police complete their inquiries.
On Friday, Resident Magistrate Joy Wesonga ordered Safari Kenga Nzai, Gona Charo Kalama, and Kahindi Kazungu Garama, all residents of Kwa Binzaro village, to await further investigation outside custody.
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The trio had been arrested for allegedly selling a five-acre piece of land to the main suspect, Sherleen Temba Anido.
Magistrate Wesonga set conditions for their release, including surrendering copies of their national identification cards, reporting to their area assistant chief twice a week, and appearing before the investigative team every two weeks.
“You will be required to report to your assistant chief’s office at Makongeni every Tuesday and Friday until investigations are concluded. You are further prohibited from contacting witnesses or interfering with the collection of evidence,” Magistrate Wesonga instructed.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jamie Yamina, also requested that four individuals, Jairus Otieno, his wife Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, and Loise Zawadi, be removed from the list of suspects and converted into state witnesses.
Authorities further sought a 60-day extension to continue holding the main suspects: Sherleen Temba Anido, James Kahindi Kazungu, Thomas Mukunwe, and Kahindi Kazungu Garama at police stations in Ngerenya, Kilifi, Watamu, and Kijipwa. Investigators said this would give them more time to gather all necessary evidence.
The main suspects face severe charges, including radicalisation, facilitating terrorist acts, participation in organised criminal activity, and murder.
Detectives have also identified several suspected burial sites in Kwa Binzaro that are yet to be exhumed.
Several of the individuals under investigation, Sherleen Temba, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Gona Charo Kalama, Kahindi Kazungu Garama, and Thomas Mukunwe, were previously linked to the 2023 Shakahola massacre.
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