Investigation Implicates 6 Gov't Officials in Shakahola Massacre

The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has implicated six government officials in the Shakahola tragedy.

In a report on Friday, August 30, the Ombudsman noted that there was a dereliction of duty by national administration officers national police officers that allowed the occurrence of the incident.

"The investigations established that reports of Paul 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, respectively, between the years of 2021 and 2023. However, the duty bearers in the above-mentioned offices and committees failed to take satisfactory action to prevent the tragedy from unfolding," read part of the report by the commission.

The officials are Thuo Ngugi, the former Deputy County Commissioner for Malindi Sub-County, Daniel Ntausi, the former Assistant County Commissioner for Langobaya Division, and Raymond Mcharo, the current Chief of Chakama Location.

Others are Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Charles Kamau, the former Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) for Malindi, Chief Inspector Hassan Hamara, the former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for Langobaya Police Station, and Sergeant Joseph Yator, a DCI officer in Malindi Sub-County.

The commission directed the Interior PS and the CEO of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to institute a disciplinary action on the officers and report back within six months.

It further directed the Director of DCI to launch an investigation over reports made at the Langobaya Police Station and report back within the same period.

Paul Mackenzie, the main suspect in the Shakahola massacre, has been in police custody since April 2023, even as the hearing of the case continues.

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma adjourned the hearing of the case until September 30, 2024, with further proceedings scheduled from October 1 to October 3, 2024, and October 28 to October 31, 2024.