The nightmare of Shakahola has returned—this time in Kwa Bi Nzaro, Kilifi County. Authorities have exhumed 32 bodies from shallow graves over the past week, reopening wounds from last year’s Shakahola massacre that shocked Kenya and the world.
A Haunting Resemblance to 2023
Just like in Shakahola Forest, where more than 400 bodies were unearthed in 2023, the newly discovered remains show signs of starvation and suffocation. Investigators fear that children could be among the victims, a grim reminder of how deep cult influence continues to run.
The discovery has reignited concerns that the network of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, currently in custody over the Shakahola massacre, may still be alive and active.
Despite being behind bars, intelligence reports suggest Mackenzie could still be influencing his followers from prison—an alarming signal of the cult’s resilience.
Religious Exploitation and Calls for Action
The tragedy has once again placed religious organizations under scrutiny. For years, critics have accused some groups of exploiting vulnerable followers, pushing them into suicide cults and extremist practices disguised as faith.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had in April warned that the government was considering tougher laws to crack down on rogue preachers and religious extremism. With fresh graves now emerging in Kilifi, those calls for legislative action have only grown louder.
What Next for Kilifi?
The community is reeling—terrified that history is repeating itself and questioning how such atrocities could continue under the government’s watch. Investigations are ongoing, but the exhumations have already sparked a national outcry, with renewed demands for justice and tighter regulation of religious practices.
For families of the victims, closure may take years. For the country, the horror of Shakahola is no longer just a memory—it’s a recurring nightmare.
