Interior CS nominee Kindiki apologises to Kenyans for Shakahola massacre

Interior Cabinet Secretary Nominee Kithure Kindiki has issued a public apology to Kenyans for the Shakahola Massacre, calling it the most tragic security breach in the country's history.

The massacre, which took place in the Shakahola forest in Malindi, Kilifi County, resulted in the deaths of over 400 people under the orders of Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church. Mackenzie allegedly instructed his followers to starve themselves and their children to death as a means of achieving heaven.

"We have experienced several security incidents that shouldn't have happened. I apologise on behalf of previous and present administrations. The Shakahola massacre will remain the most tragic security breach in our country," said Kindiki.

Kindiki emphasised that the Shakahola incident was not an overnight event but rather a result of radicalisation and criminal activity that started in 2019 and 2020, culminating in deaths and burials in 2022.

"It is our indictment as a country that we were unable to prevent such a sophisticated crime from hurting our people," he said.

The nominee emphasised that the president's task force on the massacre has made recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"We have learned the lessons. The task force has given us recommendations on what we need to do to avoid such incidents going forward," he noted.

Accountability

Kindiki emphasised the importance of accountability, highlighting the need to hold public officials, particularly the security officers in charge during the massacre, accountable.

"We had proposed the establishment of a commission of inquiry to help us put together the accountability process, but it was stopped by the court. However, with or without the commission, I want to assure the people of Kenya that if I am approved, one of my priorities will be to ensure accountability for the Shakahola crime scenes by public officials," he declared.

This statement marks a significant shift from Kindiki's previous stance. During his tenure as Interior CS last year, when the Shakahola incident erupted into a national scandal, he transferred the security and national administration officers who served in Kilifi County at the time of the deaths. Despite their transfers, these officers failed to appear before the Senate committee investigating the massacre.

Parliament was unable to serve the officers because their locations were unknown.

Kindiki took over the initial summons for the officers to appear before the committee, opting to appear and "speak for the officers" to protect the investigations.

"I am here because I want to protect the investigative process to ensure justice for the families," Kindiki told the Committee in July, asserting that some of the officers could not testify even if they were present.

"Some of them are suspects and will be charged. Others are witnesses and central to the prosecution's case, and revealing them could jeopardise the case. Some are persons of interest in the ongoing investigations," he explained.

Kindiki emphasised that his request served the national interest.

"I am not undermining the committee. I am bound by a constitutional oath to protect the country's security and ensure justice is served where offences exist. Some of the officers you have summoned do not possess the relevant information. Others have it but cannot disclose it because they are implicated. Bringing a witness here will yield nothing. Our goal is truth, justice, and accountability," he stated.