Kenyan Authorities Suspend Exhumation Operations in Kwa Binzaro
Kenyan authorities have halted exhumation operations in Kwa Binzaro village after recovering 32 bodies and over 60 body parts linked to the doomsday cult responsible for the 2023 Shakahola Forest tragedy, reports 24brussels.
The suspension follows a week-long search conducted by a multi-agency team, including pathologists, homicide detectives, and morticians, who cleared all 27 marked graves in the area.
Located approximately 30 km from Shakahola, Kwa Binzaro has emerged as a new focal point of concern, with survivors and local officials confirming connections to cult leader Paul Mackenzie, who remains incarcerated on charges of murder and terrorism. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that rescued individuals claimed Mackenzie was “praying for them” from prison.
The government’s attention now turns to post-mortem analysis and DNA identification. Families of missing persons have been urged to submit samples at Malindi Sub-County Hospital to aid in matching remains and facilitating dignified burials.
This disturbing discovery has reignited criticism towards Kenya’s failure to thwart further cult-related fatalities. Rights activist Hussein Khalid labeled the situation a “betrayal of the most sacred duty of any state — to protect the lives of its citizens.”
As many as eleven suspects have been apprehended, but critics contend that the government’s assurances for stricter religious oversight and enhanced community vigilance following the Shakahola incident have not been realized.
Victims’ families continue to suffer from emotional distress. William Ponda Titus, whose family was divided between Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro, expressed profound sorrow, stating, “It has hurt me very much… it is only me and my father now.” His cousin, Michael Ruwa, emphasized the need for a serious governmental response: “The matter is being taken very lightly. We ask the government to treat it seriously because it is people who have been lost in there. Not animals.”
