In Kenya, the “Shakahola massacre” as it is now called, continues to mobilize the country. Through his sect, the International Church of Good News, the self-proclaimed pastor, Paul Mackenzie, invited his faithful to fast to “meet Jesus”. He is due to appear in court on Tuesday morning.
For the past ten days, investigators have been combing through the land of Paul Mackenzie in the Shakahola forest, near the town of Malindi, in eastern Kenya. Heavy rains suspended the excavations on Monday, but the autopsies of the bodies already found have already started. Scientists eagerly await the results of the autopsies for the survey.
Since the beginning of the excavations, the case has, in any case, raised many questions. Why didn’t reports work? How could such a tragedy unfold without anyone intervening? Kenyan Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki spoke to the press about these potential flaws on Monday during a visit to the Malindi Hospital morgue. He explained that the government had decided to set up a commission of inquiry.
Signs of injuries on some bodies
“We transferred all the public officials who were in place when the events in Shakahola took place. No agency, from the national government to the local level, including the police, criminal affairs, and intelligence services, had been spared. The role of the commission of inquiry will be to investigate, but also to make recommendations on the actions to be taken against any officer whose actions, lack of action, or negligence could have allowed the death of so many people. ” The minister insisted.
The autopsies should last a week according to the minister. The investigators have doubts about what caused the deaths, as some bodies were found with signs of injuries. In parallel, there will be operations to identify the remains by DNA sampling. The families in Malindi are eagerly awaiting the results, hoping to hear from their missing loved ones.
Last Thursday, authorities arrested Ezekiel Odero, a second pastor, in Mombasa, a port city in eastern Kenya, for his connection to the “suspicious deaths” of his followers. He must also appear in court on Tuesday, May 2. Investigators said they are studying the links between the two cases.