Sect in Kenya/Shakahola forest tragedy: Resumed exhumations in this Kenya’s forest
In the Kenyan Shakahola forest, a year ago, the shocking discovery of mass graves shocked the nation. These graves held the remains of followers of an evangelical sect led by Pastor Paul Mackenzie.
He preached a fatal message, urging his followers to fast until death to “meet Jesus” before his predicted end of the world in August 2023.
The gruesome toll of this tragedy revealed 429 bodies during initial excavations.
However, due to space constraints in the local morgue, investigative efforts were temporarily halted.
Now, on June 3, a year later, the search resumes as authorities launch phase 5 of the excavations.
The Criminal Investigations Department is focused on uncovering 34 new mass graves within the forest.
Identifying the victims remains a daunting task for law enforcement. Out of the 429 recovered bodies, only 34 have been positively identified and returned to their grieving families. The rest remain in the Malindi hospital morgue.
Amnesty International has labeled this event the “Shakahola massacre,” noting that it has claimed nearly double the number of victims compared to Kenya’s deadliest terrorist attack in 1998, which resulted in the deaths of 220 people.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie, along with his co-accused, faced charges earlier this year. Their charges include involuntary manslaughter, terrorism, torture, and cruelty to children.
The terrorism trial is scheduled to commence on July 8, shedding light on the depths of this tragic event.
Source: africanews.com
