Ombudsman names security chiefs who failed to stop Shakahola massacre

The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has released names of individuals who should be held accountable for negligence of duty leading to the massacre of more than 500 at the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.

They include former Malindi Deputy County Commissioner Thu Ngugi, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) commander for Malindi sub-county Senior Superintended of Police Charles Kamau and Langobaya Assistant Count Commoner (ACC) Daniel Ntausi.

Others are Langombaya police station commander (OCS) Chief Inspector Hassan Hamara, Chakama chief Raymond Mcharo and Sergeant Joseph Yator of DCI.

Save for Mcharo, the rest have been transferred from the area and replaced.

The CAJ investigations established that reports of criminal activities by suspected cult leader Paul Mackenzie had been reported to Mcharo, the Langombaya police station and the Sub Count Security and intelligence committee chaired by Ngugi between 2021 and 2023.

"However, the duty bearers in the above-mentioned offices and committees failed to take satisfactory actions to prevent the tragedy from unfolding," states the CAJ.

"Minutes from the divisional security and intelligence committee meetings show repeated concerns raised about Mackenzie's behaviour, yet concrete steps to address these concerns were lacking."

In the matter, Mackenzie lured, convinced and allegedly compelled his brainwashed followers to starve themselves to death with the promise of meeting Jesus and there are allegations that some of the deceased persons especially children were killed by starvation and some, torture.

Some of the illegal activities disclosed to the authorities include the detention and discovery of malnourished children in the Shakahola forest.

Other include the establishment of a settlement, and the sale of land to Mackenzie's followers and the influx of strangers followed by their sudden decrease in their presence raised concerns within the community.

The Ombudsman wants the Principal Secretary for the State Department of National Security and Administration and the Inspector General of police to hold to account the officers who failed to discharge their duties.

The commission also wants the DCI to comprehensively and conclusively investigate reports made regarding the matter. Hundreds died in the forest before the government intervened in April 2023.

"It was established that Mackenzie's encroachment into Shakahola forest and suspected illegal activities were brought to the attention of the Malindi Sub County security and intelligence committee in October 2021," the report says.

"Despite discussions during the committee meetings to visit the Mackenzie's farm in Shakahola to assess the situation, this never materialised. Ngugi delegated the task to Ntausi without evidence or follow-up in the subsequent committee meetings. In addition, the matter was not escalated to the County security and intelligence committee."

The disgraced preacher has been charged in court with dozens of crimes in relation to the killings.