A Mombasa court has officially dropped the Shakahola massacre case against two suspects who have recently passed away.
Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku made this decision after the prosecution submitted burial permits and postmortem reports confirming the deaths of the accused.
The court was informed that Mary Charo Mbita died in June this year at the Coast General Referral Teaching Hospital, while Edison Safari Munyambo, also known as Baba Sifa, passed away on August 19, 2024, at the Shimo la Tewa health facility.
Both individuals succumbed to illnesses, according to the official death reports.
Their bodies were released to their families for burial following the completion of the autopsies.
In a separate development, Chief Magistrate Ithuku called upon the officer in charge of Shimo la Tewa women’s prison to address serious allegations of maltreatment reported by female suspects, including claims of torture, denial of food, and physical abuse.
The court has instructed the officer to appear on September 11, 2024, to provide a comprehensive report on these claims and to investigate the allegations thoroughly.
The magistrate emphasized the importance of addressing these allegations, noting their gravity.
The court also urged media outlets and journalists to report the proceedings with fairness and accuracy due to the high public interest in the case.
Additionally, the court granted permission for victims’ counsel, instructed by Haki Africa, to participate in the ongoing matter.
The prosecution team, including Senior Assistant DPP Peter Kiprop, Assistant DPP Jami Yamina, PPC Betty Rubia, and others, will continue to oversee the case’s legal aspects.
