- EDITORIAL BRIEF: Mr Morris Yimbo from Kanyakwar, Kisumu, lost his three sons to the Shakahola cult massacre in Kilifi. He believes his sons were lured into the cult by his brother, Wickliffe Omondi alias ‘Waimoi’, during the Covid-19 pandemic. His children were strangled while trying to escape from the Shakahola camp and buried in shallow graves behind the camp. Mr Yimbo is now waiting for DNA results of the deceased before making burial arrangements.
Mr Morris Yimbo from Kanyakwar, Kisumu, lost his three sons to the Shakahola cult massacre in Kilifi. His sons, Vincent Lihanda (21), Godwin Maxwell (17), and Collins Lijodi (14) disappeared almost three years ago. Mr Yimbo believes his sons were lured into the cult by his brother, Wickliffe Omondi alias ‘Waimoi’, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The eldest son, Lihanda, disappeared first, followed by the other two who had packed their bags in preparation for a trip to Lamu. Mr Yimbo and his wife reported the disappearance of their sons to the police but received no information on their whereabouts. On occasions, the sons would call their father asking for money using different numbers, which the police were able to trace to Lamu.
During the search for his children, Mr Yimbo discovered that they were among the victims who died trying to escape from the Shakahola camp. The children were strangled and buried in shallow graves behind the camp. Mr Yimbo passed out upon hearing this and was rushed to the hospital.
Mr Yimbo recalls that his son, Lihanda, started developing strange behaviors after joining a church associated with his uncle, Omondi. The two would attend church in Vihiga or Kakamega on Sundays and participate in night vigils. Lihanda became rebellious and disobedient, and his academic performance suffered. When Mr Yimbo tried to discipline him, Lihanda ran away from home. He eventually returned but was determined to leave school and pursue preaching the gospel, which shocked his parents.
The events happened during the Covid-19 pandemic when the country was in lockdown. When the lockdown was lifted, Lihanda disappeared with his uncle, Omondi. His other two brothers followed suit soon after.
Mr Yimbo has been making frequent visits to police stations in search of his lost sons. The police were able to trace the calling location of his sons’ phone numbers to Lamu. He later found out that his brother had joined the Shakahola cult and was responsible for the disappearance of his children.
Mr Yimbo is waiting for DNA results of the deceased before making burial arrangements. He describes the scene of his children’s burial as horrific. The victims who survived said that his children tried to escape on March 15 but were caught and killed.
