Govt to acquire part of Shakahola land as a memorial site » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 – The government plans to acquire 4,000 acres of Chakama Ranch to put up a memorial in honour of the victims of the Shakahola cult deaths.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, bodies of victims not identified will also be accommodated there.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
The Shakahola religious cult was put under a tight national microscope in April 2023 when two children died under their parent’s care after Pastor Paul Mackenzie instructed members of his church to starve themselves to “meet Jesus’.
429 bodies have so far been exhumed since the exercise began in April last year.
Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor earlier this week announced timelines that will lead to the release of 34 bodies which have been identified.
The Government stated that remains of those who have not been identified will be buried at the proposed memorial.