Prison boss dismisses Paul Mackenzie's alleged poisoning plot at Shimo la Tewa
Abdi Willy Adan said only some of the other suspects had refused food since Wednesday, while Mackenzie’s last hunger strike was recorded back in February.
Abdi Willy Adan, the head of Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison, has dismissed claims by preacher Paul Mackenzie that his life is in danger while in custody.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir at the Tononoka Children’s Court, Abdi told the court that Mackenzie and his two co-accused, Mzee Smart Deri and Steve wa Mtwapa, are still eating their meals.
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Abdi said only some of the other suspects had refused food since Wednesday, while Mackenzie’s last hunger strike was recorded back in February. He produced the visitors’ register, confirming Mackenzie’s most recent official visit was on August 28, 2025.
The prison boss also dismissed the preacher’s claims that harmful substances had been planted in his cell. Abdi stressed that inmates are thoroughly frisked whenever they leave or re-enter the prison.
“The prison does not supply bottled water. I want to know how the accused came into possession of such items,” he said.
On communication rights, he explained that inmates are allocated different days to contact family and lawyers, and that Mackenzie’s group missed their turn only because they were in court, not due to a denial of access.
Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie (right). (Photo: ODPP)
Abdi said that during his inspection on Saturday, he visited Block F, which is under preparation for terrorism-related offenders, and Block G, where Mackenzie is held. He noted that Block B, which houses other Shakahola suspects, was not inspected that day, but confirmed he personally met Mackenzie and spoke with him.
Addressing Mackenzie’s request to be moved to Manyani Prison, Abdi said he declined because of the seriousness of the charges and the cost implications of transporting him back and forth for hearings.
Mackenzie, who is facing charges alongside 34 others linked to the Shakahola massacre, had alleged that suspicious items were planted in his cell to harm him.
Abdi dismissed the claims as baseless, insisting that security within the facility is intact.
The prosecution, led by Jami Yamina, Rubia Betty, J.V. Owiti, Biasha Khalifa and Ngina Mutua, opposed a defence application to adjourn the case on grounds of a hunger strike.
Rubia said the accused were using the tactic to frustrate the case, pointing out that six witnesses were already present to testify.
Magistrate Chepchirchir agreed with the prosecution, ruling that voluntary refusal to eat could not be used to stop proceedings. However, she ordered that the accused be granted access to their lawyers.
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