The National Government has announced its commitment to covering the transportation expenses for families unable to afford the transportation of the bodies of Shakahola cult victims from the Malindi sub-county mortuary to their respective homes.
This decision comes almost a year after 429 bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola forest, where victims of the cult, led by Paul Mackenzie, were laid to rest after fasting in anticipation of ascending to heaven.
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki revealed that the government would also set aside 4000 acres of the 50,000-acre Chakama Ranch, the site of the Shakahola massacre, to establish a memorial center.
This center will not only provide a final resting place for unidentified bodies but also serve as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed.
During his address in Kilifi, Kindiki highlighted the significance of this memorial, emphasizing its role in commemorating the lives lost and the injustices endured.
He further disclosed that the government had officially removed the designation of the remaining land as a crime scene, leaving only the 4000 acres earmarked for the memorial.
Various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Haki Africa, and the Malindi Community Human Rights Center, were present during the announcement.
Martin Shipeta of Haki Africa expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision to financially assist families in need of transportation support.
Additionally, he urged authorities to expedite the legal process against individuals implicated in neglecting their duty to address the injustices perpetrated by Paul Mackenzie.
Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International, commended Kindiki for the initiative and urged the Ministry to grant media and human rights organizations supervised access to the designated 4000-acre area.
This access would facilitate transparency and accountability in documenting the events surrounding the Shakahola tragedy.
