https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240322/shakahola-massacre-kenyas-human-rights-commission-indicts-security-officers-1065689165.html
Shakahola Massacre: Kenya's Human Rights Commission Indicts Security Officers
Shakahola Massacre: Kenya's Human Rights Commission Indicts Security Officers
Sputnik Africa
In April, Kenya was shocked by news of the discovery of numerous graves in the Shakahola forest near town of Malindi in the eastern part of the country... 22.03.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-03-22T17:53+0100
2024-03-22T17:53+0100
2024-03-22T18:08+0100
sub-saharan africa
kenya
east africa
hunger
shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult)
religious cult
security
police
investigation
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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has indicted security and national administration officials involved in the Shakahola massacre and called for swift accountability, according to its report released on Friday.The KNHCR accused the officers of "unacceptable gross abdication of duty and negligence," alleging that their actions and inactions contributed to the tragic events of the massacre.The commission also found that government officials in Malindi had ample opportunity to intervene and prevent the deaths, especially after the arrest of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie in 2017.In the report, KNCHR cited a former member of the Good News International Church who turned to social media in 2022 to draw attention to the cult's events.The commission concluded its report by calling on the government to hold accountable all security officials whose actions aided and abetted the Shakahola massacre, to continue exhuming bodies, and to assist survivors in obtaining necessary documents.On Wednesday, local media reported that the Kenyan government will begin next week releasing some of the bodies of those who died in the hunger cult.Last year, 429 bodies were excavated, and so far, 34 of them have reportedly been identified and brought back to their families.Paul Mackenzie and his associates are charged with terrorism, murder, assisted suicide, kidnapping, extremism, genocide, crimes against humanity, child abuse, fraud, and money laundering.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240321/kenya-will-reportedly-release-some-of-shakahola-cult-victims-bodies-for-burial-1065670002.html
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kenya, east africa, hunger, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), religious cult , security, police, investigation
kenya, east africa, hunger, shakahola forest massacre (kenya starvation cult), religious cult , security, police, investigation
Shakahola Massacre: Kenya's Human Rights Commission Indicts Security Officers
17:53 22.03.2024 (Updated: 18:08 22.03.2024) In April, Kenya was shocked by news of the discovery of numerous graves in the Shakahola forest near town of Malindi in the eastern part of the country. Authorities revealed that the deceased were members of the Good News International Church, led by Paul Mackenzie, who told his followers to starve themselves to get to heaven.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has indicted security and national administration officials involved in the Shakahola massacre and called for swift accountability, according to its
report released on Friday.
The KNHCR accused the officers of "unacceptable gross abdication of duty and negligence," alleging that their actions and inactions contributed to the tragic events of the massacre.
"The Commission regrets that no known sanctions were taken against those officers who abdicated their duty to protect the hundreds of persons, including children who are either missing, dead or deeply traumatized as a result of their acts of gross negligence," the report reads.
The commission also found that government officials in Malindi had ample opportunity to intervene and prevent the deaths, especially after the arrest of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie in 2017.
In the report, KNCHR cited a former member of the Good News International Church who turned to social media in 2022 to draw attention to the cult's events.
"Instead of investigating the veracity of the issues raised, the lady was intimidated after being accused of making baseless accusations," the commission said, adding that police have contacted social media administrators and reprimanded them for "posting defamatory messages."
The commission concluded its report by calling on the government to hold accountable all security officials whose actions aided and abetted
the Shakahola massacre, to continue exhuming bodies, and to assist survivors in obtaining necessary documents.
On Wednesday, local media reported that the Kenyan government will begin next week releasing some of the bodies of those who died in the hunger cult.
Last year, 429 bodies were excavated, and so far, 34 of them have reportedly been identified and brought back to their families.
Paul Mackenzie and his associates
are charged with terrorism, murder, assisted suicide, kidnapping, extremism, genocide, crimes against humanity, child abuse, fraud, and money laundering.
