Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government will buy part of the 4,000-acre Chakama Ranch in Shakahola, Kilifi County.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 27, CS Kindiki explained that the government will build a memorial site to commemorate the Shakahola massacre victims.
“The Government will acquire parts of the Chakama Ranch where the main suspect carried out his atrocious crimes on the people of Kenya and build a memorial to remind us of what happened in perpetuity,” said Kindiki.
The Interior CS noted that the Chakama Ranch remains gazetted as a scene of crime, with the government now planning to fence it off.
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CS Kindiki reiterated that those who were in charge of security when the tragedy occurred will bear individual responsibility for the lapses when the court lifts an injunction blocking investigations on the officials.
“Once the Courts lift the prevailing injunction, the accountability of public officials who contributed to the occurrence of Shakahola atrocities in whatever manner will ensue through the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the President,” he added.
Further CS Kindiki directed security agencies to make a final check at the Shakahola Forest to ensure the exhumation is complete and professionally closed.
In 2023, over 420 people were discovered buried in shallow graves in Shakahola Forest. This is after Controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie asked his followers to fast to death to meet Jesus.
Mackenzie is currently in police custody with 95 other suspects facing charges of murder, manslaughter, organized criminal activity, radicalization, and facilitating the commission of a terrorist act among others.
