The Horrendous Deaths of 58 People in Kilifi County is A Wake-Up Call for National Intelligence Service, Senate Speaker

• EDITORIAL BRIEF: In response to the tragedy, security officers and humanitarian personnel are now in Kilifi County to help families report missing persons. The deaths serve as a reminder of the dangers of cults and the need for greater awareness and vigilance in the community. It is essential to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future by identifying and stopping groups that perpetrate such heinous crimes. By bringing those responsible to justice, Kenya can take a significant step towards ensuring that such crimes never happen again.

The Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi, has called for the harshest punishment possible for those responsible for the deaths of 58 people in the Shakahola cult. The cult, led by Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge of the Good News International Church, instructed members to starve themselves to “meet Jesus.”

Kingi who was Kilifi Governor for ten years, described the deaths as “horrendous” and questioned how such a heinous crime organized and executed over a considerable period of time could have escaped the radar of the intelligence system. He called for heightened vigilance from Kenyans going forward, as well as greater attention from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the community policing program.

Kingi’s statement also addressed the need for justice in the case, stating that the harshest punishment possible must be meted out to those responsible for the deaths of these innocent souls.

The goal of this punishment is to deter anyone with similar evil pursuits in the name of religion. Currently, Mackenzie is in custody after being charged last month following the death of two children from starvation while in their parents’ care. On Monday, the police announced the arrest of fourteen members of the cult.