Families impacted by the Shakahola mass deaths are demanding that the government release the bodies that have been detained at Malindi Hospital Morgue for over a year.
These bodies are those of victims of the infamous preacher Paul Mckenzie, who allegedly coerced his followers into a deadly fasting ritual, claiming it would bring them closer to Jesus Christ. The escalating number of exhumed bodies in Shakahola, Kilifi, has complicated the government’s efforts to accurately identify the victims through DNA analysis, resulting in significant delays. For over a year, the state has struggled with this arduous identification process, further hindered by a request from the government pathologist for an additional KSh 100 million in funding to support forensic services in the ongoing probe of the Shakahola cult deaths.
In a session before the National Assembly, the government’s chief pathologist, Johansen Oduor, noted that KSh 30 million had already been allocated for operation costs to expedite the exhumation process. “We are not merely requesting funds for allowances; we also need to purchase formalin and body bags essential for the exhumation exercise,” he clarified.
The government has conceded the difficulties in DNA matching due to the advanced state of decomposition of the bodies. Oduor recently underscored the challenges in preserving the bodies exhumed during the ongoing fifth phase.
Oduor also reprimanded families for not participating in the identification process, which would streamline the release of the bodies. “We urge those who believe their relatives might have vanished in Shakahola to come forward for DNA tests. The state has acquired adequate reagents to accelerate the identification process,” he stated.
Human rights activists have implored the government to suspend the fifth phase of exhumations until the detained bodies are released. Paul Mckenzie, the cult leader, was charged with terrorism in January, along with 94 co-accused followers. They all denied the charges, which included inciting followers to starve to death, child cruelty, and torture.
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