Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, March 27, announced that the government would buy part of Chakama Ranch where the Shakahola forest is found.
While visiting Kilifi County, Kindiki explained that the national government would be procuring the land to construct a memorial site for remembrance of Kenyans who lost their lives in the place.
Over 400 Good News International Church faithfuls died there after they were subjected to forced starvation by their leader Paul Mackenzie.
“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,” Kindiki announced.
CS Kindiki was speaking a day after families of Shakahola victims started receiving bodies for burial.
Kindiki raised concerns that there was a possibility that there were still bodies that were yet to be exhumed.
He explained that at the scene of the crime, teams had received orders to make a final sweep of the vast forest to ensure no bodies were left behind.
Additionally, the final check by the experts is key in ensuring that the exhumation process is professionally closed.
The CS further reiterated his conviction that there were high-ranking government officials who colluded with the disgraced pastor to commit atrocities.
“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 promised the victims.
Pastor Mackenzie was arrested with hundreds of others in April 2023, in connection to the murders.
It was only in February 2024, that the prosecution opened charges against him. He is standing trial for 191 murders.
