The damning report released on Friday, August 30 put six government officials on the spot over negligence of duty that allowed the horrific incident to happen in the first place.
The heinous Shakahola massacre which claimed the lives of 436 people was avoidable, if a report released by the Commission on Administrative Justice, also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, is anything to go by.
The damning report released on Friday, August 30 put six government officials on the spot over negligence of duty that allowed the horrific incident to happen in the first place.
“The investigations established that reports of Paul Mackenzie’s illegal activities were made at Langobaya Police Station, the Chief’s office in Chakama and the Malindi Sub-County and Langobaya Division Security Intelligence committees, respectively, between the years of 2021 and 2023.
“However, the duty bearers in the above-mentioned offices and committees failed to take satisfactory action to prevent the tragedy from unfolding,” read part of the report by the commission.
Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge accompanied by some of his followers during a court appearance in Malindi on April 17, 2023. /AP
The report, the first official government report on the matter, paints a vivid picture of the ignorance of national administration officers and national police officers regarding intelligence of events that culminated in the bizarre massacre.
The tragedy unfolded with the discovery of neglected and malnourished children, ultimately leading to the unearthing of shallow graves and the rescue of survivors.
The officials are Thuo Ngugi, the former Deputy County Commissioner for Malindi Sub-County, Daniel Ntausi, the former Assistant County Commissioner for Langobaya Division, and Raymond Mcharo, the current Chief of Chakama Location.
Others are Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Charles Kamau, the former Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) for Malindi, Chief Inspector Hassan Hamara, the former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for Langobaya Police Station, and Sergeant Joseph Yator, a DCI officer in Malindi Sub-County.
The commission, also known as the Office of Ombudsman, has since recommended that the Principal Secretary of State Department for Interior and Coordination of National Administration and the National Police Service Commission hold to account the various duty bearers.
“The Commission further recommends that the PS State Department for Interior, and the Inspector General of Police enhance surveillance, accountability, and coordination among the members of the National Police Service and the National Government Administrative officers,” the report added.
The commission conducted investigations in accordance with Article 59 (4) h of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and Sections 8 and 29 of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) Act, 2011.
It followed recommendations by the Senate Ad Hoc Committee which was formed to investigate the proliferation of religious organisations and the circumstances leading to the mass deaths in Shakahola.
The commission also asked the Ministry of Interior to take measures to enhance accountability at the sub-county and Divisional Security Intelligence Committees by implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track the implementation and escalation of decisions and hold officers responsible for their actions or inactions.
“Ensure all field officers, including chiefs and their assistants, undergo comprehensive induction training to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their duties effectively,” the Ombudsman added.
Paul Mackenzie, the main suspect in the Shakahola massacre, has been in police custody since April 2023, even as the hearing of the case continues.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on January 16, 2024, approved 10 charges against 95 suspects linked to the mass deaths in the Shakahola Massacre, Mackenzie included. This followed an injunction issued by the courts to press charges against them or release them following the massacre.
DPP Renson Mulele Ingonga revealed that he was satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 95 suspects linked to the heinous crime that targeted people believed to be members of the Good News International Church. The charges included murder, radicalization, child torture, manslaughter and cruelty.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Leah Juma adjourned the hearing of the case until September 30, 2024, with further proceedings scheduled from October 1 to October 3, 2024, and October 28 to October 31, 2024.
