In the ongoing investigation into a macabre cult in Shakahola, Kilifi, a total of 112 individuals have been reported missing, as the search for mass graves continues. The Kenya Red Cross has established tracing and counselling desks at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital to support the Shakahola response.
The tracing desk has received reports of 112 individuals missing, as authorities enter the fourth day of the exhumation exercise, which has uncovered a total of 39 bodies so far. The Shakahola massacre is believed to be linked to controversial preacher, Pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is said to have indoctrinated his followers.
Some of the members abandoned their education or employment to follow a religious mirage. The followers were reportedly instructed to fast themselves to death with the promise of meeting Jesus. It is believed that the pastor had attracted hundreds of followers from various parts of the country, with some even selling their property before travelling to Malindi to join the killer fast.
The search for the missing individuals and identification of the exhumed bodies is still ongoing. Detectives have yet to dig up more than 50 graves discovered on Sunday, with the number of survivors still unknown. The situation is tragic, and authorities continue to work to unravel the extent of the cult and bring those responsible for the deaths to justice.
