Controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is being held in connection with the death of over 400 people in a suspected starvation cult in Shakahola, Kilifi County has decried what he describes as a violation of his rights.

Appearing at the Shanzu Law Courts on Wednesday, Mackenzie caused a commotion when he began shouting, crying that his and his 15 other co-accused persons’ rights were being violated while in custody.

Chanting “Haki yetu,” he claimed that by being denied bail, the government wants to continue abusing their rights and treating them brutally.

“I have gone for two days without eating and taking a bath because I have been locked 24/7 in a dark room. The authorities are the ones directing that I am treated this way, so I wonder who will save me?” posed Mackenzie.

The Good News International church televangelist claims he is being tortured in jail. He told the court that he has been locked in a dark room and that his pleas to be let out and bask in the sun have fallen on deaf ears.

He told the government to kill him instead of putting him through the experience in jail.

“If you are tired of us and don’t want to accord us basic dignity you might as well kill us and throw our bodies in River Yala. After all, we are all going to die someday. This court needs to help me because I am suffering,” said the pastor.

The prosecution asked that the preacher be detained for 47 more days to conclude investigations and the court is set to issue its verdict on the prosecution’s request on Thursday.

More than 425 people have been confirmed dead in the suspected cults far, with over 600 people still reported missing.