Kwa Binzaro cult case: Three suspects released on free bond

On Friday, Resident Magistrate Joy Wesonga ordered the release of Safari Kenga Nzai, Gona Charo Kalama, and Kahindi Kazungu Garama, all residents of Kwa Binzaro village. The trio had been arrested after allegedly selling a five-acre parcel of land to the prime suspect, Sherleen Temba Anido.

As part of their release conditions, the magistrate directed the three to surrender copies of their national identification cards, report to their area assistant chief twice weekly, and present themselves to the investigating team once 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 ruled.

Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jamie Yamina, applied to have four individuals — Jairus Otieno, his wife Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, and Loise Zawadi — struck out as suspects and turned into state witnesses.

The prosecution also sought 60 additional days to continue detaining the main suspects — Sherleen Temba Anido, James Kahindi Kazungu, Thomas Mukunwe, and Kahindi Kazungu Garama — at Ngerenya, Kilifi, Watamu, and Kijipwa police stations. Investigators say the extension will enable them to finalize evidence gathering.

The four face serious charges, including: Radicalization, Facilitation of terrorist acts, Engaging in organized criminal activity and murder.

According to the prosecution, detectives have identified several suspected grave sites within Kwa Binzaro that are yet to be exhumed. They noted that Sherleen Temba, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Gona Charo Kalama, Kahindi Kazungu Garama, and Thomas Mukunwe were previously linked to the 2023 Shakahola massacre.