Premium
Five bodies exhumed in new Kilifi cult probe
Morticians carry an exhumed body at Kwa Binzaro village within the vast Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County on August 21, 2025.
What you need to know:
- A team of morticians, grave diggers, forensic experts and detectives launched the operation around 10am.
- They are targeting more than 20 shallow graves identified in the village and surrounding bushes.
The exhumation of bodies believed to be those of cult followers begun on Thursday at Kwa Binzaro in Kilifi County, reviving horrific memories of 2023 when more than 400 bodies were unearthed in Shakahola forest, both within the expansive Chakama Ranch.
By close of day, five bodies had been exhumed while 10 other body parts were recovered, scattered across the site. The exercise extends beyond the five-acre homestead where the cult is believed to have been based.
A team of morticians, grave diggers, forensic experts and detectives from the Crime Scene Investigations Unit—led by Homicide Director Martin Nyuguto and Government Pathologist Dr Richard Njoroge—launched the operation around 10am.
They are targeting more than 20 shallow graves identified in the village and surrounding bushes.
“At the commencement of this exercise, we had identified 27 suspected graves. Today we managed to exhume six. Of the six, we found five bodies, and in the same area we recovered 10 different body parts scattered in various places,” said Dr Njoroge.
He added that the operation would continue until all graves were exhumed, with more remains expected.
Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Biwott urged the public to report any suspected secret graves to authorities.
Morticians carry an exhumed body at Kwa Binzaro village within the vast Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County on August 21, 2025.
Human rights activists and Kenya Red Cross personnel were present to offer support. Locals have also been cooperating by providing information that has helped identify more graves.
Police are appealing to families with missing loved ones to present themselves for DNA sampling, which is being conducted at Malindi Sub-County Hospital. Authorities fear that more than 10 missing children may be among those buried, including six from one family.
“After this exhumation exercise, we shall embark on postmortems and take DNA samples from the remains for purposes of matching,” Dr Njoroge said.
Meanwhile, detectives uncovered secret holding cells in Malindi, where victims were allegedly confined before being transported to Chakama forest to undergo deadly fasts meant to “meet Jesus.”
Investigators say the cells doubled as radicalisation hubs where victims were indoctrinated before being led into the wilderness.
Police believe the operators of these covert facilities evaded arrest during the sweeping 2023 Shakahola operations that led to more than 90 arrests, including preacher Paul Mackenzie. Eleven suspects have now been linked to the Kwa Binzaro deaths.
Among those arrested is a man previously involved in Shakahola. After narrowly surviving the tragedy, he fled to Siaya County only to later return to Chakama forest with his family to resume fasting under the Kwa Binzaro sect.
Grave diggers exhume bodies of suspected cult members at Kwa Binzaro village in Kilifi County on August 21, 2025.
Investigations have since widened beyond the initial five-acre search zone after human remains, including skulls and bones, were discovered outside homesteads believed to contain all the graves. Some skeletons were recently found scattered across Kwa Binzaro village, apparently dug up by wild animals.
The government has raised concern that criminals continue to exploit the vastness of Chakama Ranch—nearly 100,000 acres—to conceal atrocities. Authorities admit the limited state presence in the area has created fertile ground for cult activity and other crimes.
In July, detectives obtained an exhumation order from a Malindi court, paving the way for toxicology and DNA analysis of the bodies. Despite ongoing operations, officials concede that the complex web of radicalisation linked to cult activities continues to thrive.
