Kwa Binzaro cult suspects scattered bodies across 400 acres to outwit investigators, court told
Investigators reported that the 51 days initially granted by the court had been severely undermined by the suspects’ methods, which appeared designed to conceal and destroy evidence.
Kilifi's Kwa Binzaro suspects outsmarted investigators by scattering bodies across 400 acres—burying some in shallow, unmarked graves and leaving others exposed in the forest—making DNA recovery difficult, complicating exhumations, and turning evidence collection into a protracted ordeal, the court has been told.
Investigators reported that the 51 days initially granted by the court had been severely undermined by the suspects’ methods, which appeared designed to conceal and destroy evidence.
More To Read
- Families ravaged by tragedy as Kwa Binzaro mass graves reveal grim truth
- Three Kwa Binzaro cult suspects granted bond pending investigation
- WhatsApp messages reveal how Mackenzie persuaded his followers to abandon homes for Shakahola
- Grieving father testifies on losing 12 family members in Shakahola massacre
- Children’s Officer recounts how minors were rescued from Paul Mackenzie’s followers
- IG Douglas Kanja faces grim reality of Kwa Binzaro exhumations
“Whereas the adherents lived as a community within a 5-acre homestead, bodies were transported and buried as far as a 400-acre circumference deep in the forests, therefore lengthening the time it takes to discover and exhume bodies,” the court was told.
It was further revealed that nearly all the victims were buried unclothed in shallow graves less than a foot deep.
Exposed to weather, wild animals
“Their remains were exposed to weather and wild animals, degenerating the quality of DNA samples and making profiling for identification more complex. Some remains were left scattered across the forest, complicating crime scene documentation, collection, marking, custody and preservation for forensic experts.”
Investigators added that proximity to Tsavo National Park limited their daily working hours.
“Dangerous animals restricted recovery efforts to between 9 am and 2 pm, cutting productive time from eight to less than five hours.”
The court also heard that police had traced additional witnesses in Busia, Vihiga, Kisumu, Siaya, Kisii, Homa Bay and Migori counties, and planned to travel there to interview and record statements.
On August 22, 2025, police applied for an extension of detention, saying investigations were far from complete. The court granted an additional 21 days, bringing the total to 51 days.
Exhumed bodies
During that period, investigators exhumed 32 bodies, recovered 102 human remains, obtained DNA samples from relatives, identified more suspected graves, secured court orders, mapped the crime scene with the Survey of Kenya, interrogated suspects and recorded over 50 witness statements.
Investigations revealed that extreme religious beliefs were at the core of the deaths and secret burials, linking the case to radicalisation offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Detectives said the crimes bore striking similarities to atrocities committed in Shakahola by followers of Good News International, led by Paul Mackenzie.
Those named in court include Jairus Otieno Odek, Lilian Akinyi, a minor identified as LZ, Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, James Kahindi Kazungu and Sharleen Temba Anido. The court heard they had been present in Shakahola, where 454 deaths were reported, and lived there with their families before fleeing.
Investigators said Garama lived in Shakahola with his wife, Salama Masha, and their five children, now in a Kilifi children’s home. Mukonwe lived with his wife and three children, all missing and believed dead. James Kazungu stayed with his wife, Dhahabu Kabwere Chea—who faces separate manslaughter and radicalisation charges in Mombasa—and their five children, who are also missing. Anido lived with her husband, who is missing and is believed to have succumbed to the sect’s teachings.
Some Shakahola witnesses have already implicated the suspects, prompting police to request more time for identification parades.
Malindi home raided
The court was also told that on September 2, 2025, acting on a search warrant issued on August 29 under Malindi Miscellaneous Criminal Application No. E129/2025, detectives raided the Malindi home of Garama and Anido.
Recovered items included 15 SIM cards from multiple service providers, flash disks, and a national identity card belonging to a victim. Officers also seized land sale agreements for property linked to the crime scene, as well as a bloodstained jembe suspected to have been used in burials.
A sale agreement showing Garama’s ownership of a motorcycle, registration KMDD 554X (Boxer), was also recovered. The motorcycle was traced to the crime scene and is believed to have been used to transport victims to the homestead. Another land agreement linked to Anido was also seized.
“If released at this moment, there is a high likelihood that they abscond, regroup again and cause further damage to their followers who are still in the society,” investigators warned, stressing that deradicalisation, disengagement and rehabilitation would be necessary whether or not prosecutions follow.
The court was told that the probe now extends beyond Kilifi, with plans to widen investigations into at least 10 counties and track down more than 50 persons of interest. Detectives also aim to trace Shakahola witnesses to support identification parades before a final decision is reached.
Top Stories Today
