The prosecution asked the High Court to impose a structured sentence combining punishment and rehabilitation for Shakahola massacre convict Enos Amanya alias “Haleluya”.
Appearing before Justice Diana Kavedza in Mombasa, Prosecution proposed an 11-year sentence for Amanya, taking into account the three years he has already spent in remand custody.
This would reduce the remaining period to eight years under a structured framework combining custodial and non-custodial measures.
Through Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina, the prosecution recommended that between one and two-and-a-half years of the remaining term be served in prison under a voluntary rehabilitation programme.
The programme will be jointly implemented by the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the Kenya Prisons Service.
It will focus on disengagement from cultic beliefs, deradicalisation, and preparation for Amanya’s eventual reintegration into society.
Following the custodial component, Prosecution proposed that Amanya serves six years under supervised probation to ensure close monitoring during reintegration.
Amanya told the court he is willing to cooperate with prison authorities to successfully undergo rehabilitation.
The court was also informed that victims and affected community members will receive psychosocial support as part of the restorative justice process.
To ensure accountability, Prosecution proposed that the court receive progress reports every six months during the rehabilitation phase.
Should Amanya fail to comply with programme requirements, the DPP recommended that he serve the full prison term.
Prosecution anchored the proposal on established sentencing principles, including the doctrines of the “rarest of rare cases” and extenuating circumstances.
While the first doctrine ruled out the death penalty for Amanya, mitigating factors, including his cooperation with investigators and willingness to plead guilty, supported the reduced sentence.
Prosecutors told the court that the greatest moral culpability lies with cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and other church leaders.
The prosecution indicated that the State will pursue heavier sentences against them.
Further hearing of the case continues in April 2026.
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