Report reveals how State officials failed to stop Shakahola massacre

A new report has revealed how failure of government officials and police officers to investigate reports on illegal activities in Shakahola Forest, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people.

Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) shows that numerous reports were made to the area chief, sub-county commissioner, and area police station regarding the suspicious activities in the expansive Shakahola ranch but no action was taken.

Among the government officials blamed are Chakama Chief Raymond Charo, former Langobaya Assistant County Commissioner Daniel Ntausi, former Malindi Deputy County Commissioner Thuo Ngugi and his Criminal Investigations Officer Charles Kamau.

As of February, 429 bodies had been exhumed from the shallow graves in Shakahola forest in Kilifi County and it is believed that more bodies are still buried there.

The Shakahola massacre is linked to Paul Makenzi, who is accused of propagating cultic beliefs to his followers who starved to death in the belief that they would meet Jesus.

the inquiry by the commission was prompted by the discovery of bodies buried in Shakahola Forest in March last year and some survivors including minors rescued severely emaciated and weakened.

Findings by the Ombudsman reveal that the public officials were aware of Makenzie's purported illegal activities.

Other officers fingered include Hassan Hamara, former OCS Langobaya Police Station, and Malindi Sub County DCI officer Joseph Yator.

“Investigations established that indeed reports of Mackenzie’s illegal activities were made at Langobaya Police Station, the Chief’s office in Chakama, and the Malindi Sub County and Langobaya Division Security Intelligence Committees between the years 2021 and 2023,” said the commission chairperson, Florence Kajuju.

“However, the duty bearers in the offices and committees failed to take satisfactory action to prevent the tragedy from unfolding.”

Chief Charo was adversely mentioned for his involvement in the controversial land sale agreement between Makenzi and Salimu Jefwa Mwaro in December 2021.

The report found out that Charo witnessed the transfer of contentious 500 acres of land within Chakama Ranch, known as Shakahola Forest without conducting due diligence to ascertain its ownership status.

“The lack of timely and documented responses to critical situations, such as the discovery of children escaping from the Shakahola forest, highlights Mr. Charo's failure to fulfill his responsibilities effectively,” reads the report.

Despite being informed of reports implicating Pastor Mackenzie in various illegal activities, including land invasion and the unlawful detention of minors in Shakahola forest, the commission found out that Commissioner Ntausi failed to take decisive action.

“Moreover, Mackenzie's activities in Shakahola forest, such as preaching against medical treatment and detaining minors without parental consent, were brought to his attention but the ACC's response seemed limited to interrogation without subsequent resolution or follow-up,” reads the report.

Further, the commission found out that Langobaya Division’s Security Intelligence Committee, Sergeant Yator not only neglected to investigate reports against Mr. Mackenzie tabled before the Committee but also failed to appear for an interview with the Commission upon being summoned.

“This is a clear indication of negligence of duty and unresponsiveness exhibited by the officer. These lapses in governance and accountability contributed to the severity of the tragedy,” the report reads further.

So far, at least 429 bodies have been exhumed and postmortem examinations conducted on 191 bodies among which 52 were positively identified.

About 124 survivors were rescued from the forest, 95 being adults and 29 minors.

The commission now wants the Principal Secretary for Interior and the National Police Service Commission to take action against the six officers and give a report within six months.