The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has concluded its investigations on the more than 400 bodies exhumed from the Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County, following the 2023 discovery of a suspected cult massacre.
Speaking to Senators on Monday, September 21 morning, Kilifi County Health CEC Peter Mwarogo said that a total of 443 bodies are currently lying at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital, with the process of DNA identification commencing in 21 days time.
So far 14 bodies have been identified. The bodies are in a container at Malindi Sub-County Hospital,” Mwarogo said. “Some families are not willing to come and collect their bodies following the beliefs surrounding the whole Shakahola controversy.”
The County Executive Committee (CEC) member also revealed that authorities have given the county government a greenlight to dispose of the bodies, but they have to be interred in a manner that they can be identified in future.
“We have identified a land near Shakahola where the bodies will be interred. By December 2026 we will have concluded this matter. We have full bodies and body parts,” this was revealed during the Senate Mashinani Sittings in Kilifi County where a joint committee of the County Public Investments (CPIC) and Health visited the Malindi Sub-County Hospital.
‘They have a case to answer’
In April 2026, a Mombasa judge Justice Diana Kavedza ruled that controvesial peacher Paul Mackenzie and 30 co-accused have a case to answer in their Shakahola mass murder trial.
The prosecution was found to have presented enough evidence, meaning the accused must now take the stand in their own defence.
Justice Kavedza delivered the ruling on Wednesday, 15th April, 2026, finding that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had successfully established a prima facie case against all 31 accused persons on 191 counts of murder.
