The Director of Homicide at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Martin Nyuguto outside the Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary where bodies retrieved from Shakahola Forest were released to their Families in this photo taken on March 27, 2024.
The government has shifted its focus to postmortem and DNA analysis in an effort to identify victims of the cult deaths that occurred at Kwa Bi Nzaro within the expansive Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County.
A multi-agency team comprising pathologists, morticians, homicide detectives, and imaging and acoustics experts is holding planning meetings at the Malindi sub-County Hospital mortuary. The discussions, led by Homicide Director Martin Nyuguto, are guiding the next stage of the operation, which involves postmortems and DNA collection to determine the cause of death and assist in identifying victims.
So far, 32 bodies have been exhumed from 27 graves, while more than 65 body parts have been recovered from scattered sites across the thickets. The team will now proceed with DNA analysis of the exhumed bodies and the recovered remains.
Morticians carry the remains of a person exhumed at Kwa Bi Nzaro village within the vast Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County on August 28, 2025 as part of investigations into a suspected cult.
Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha has appealed to relatives of missing persons to volunteer DNA samples at Malindi sub-County Hospital to aid the process.
“We are still appealing to families to come forward. These are your people, your family members. Give us your DNA samples so we can complete the analysis and hand over the bodies for reburial,” she said.
The state has decried the lack of sufficient DNA reference materials, which it claims can slow down identification. Last week, the exhumation exercise was suspended after security officers cleared most of the identified graves and suspected sites.
Ms Onyancha explained that documentation and searches are ongoing and that the operation may resume if new graves are discovered.
So far, eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the Kwa Bi Nzaro deaths. They include Jairus Otieno Odek, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Loise Zawadi, Safari Kenga Nzai, Karisa Gona Fondo, Gona Charo Kalama, Khindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, James Kahindi, and Sharleen Temba Anido. Detectives say each played a role in facilitating the deaths, with Ms Anido suspected to have been leading the cult.
Preliminary investigations show that Mr Garama, Mr Mukonwe, Mr Kahindi, and Ms Anido traveled across the country spreading the teachings of Shakaola suspect Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Ministries. They preached the need to fast to death and later set up homesteads in Kwa Bi Nzaro village, where victims were locked in houses and prevented from escaping.
Even as the government shifts its focus to postmortem and DNA analysis of the newly exhumed bodies, it is still struggling to identify and release over 450 bodies of victims who perished in Shakahola Forest. Last week, Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor said 37 bodies are ready and will be released to their families for reburial.
“Dr Oduor will give more information on when the release of bodies will start,” said Ms Onyancha.
As of now, 419 bodies remain at the Malindi morgue, either unidentified or unclaimed. Official records show that only 72 bodies have been identified since the 2023 massacre, with just 34 released for burial.
A Government Chemist witness recently told the Shanzu court that financial and procurement delays have slowed DNA matching. He disclosed that 120 bodies were too decomposed to generate DNA profiles and may never be identified.
Bodies exhumed from mass graves in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County on May 12, 2023.
Families of the Shakahola victims, still traumatised since two years on, are urging the government to expedite DNA analysis and release the remains. On Saturday, they held a vigil in Malindi in remembrance of their loved ones.
“My mother left home in 2020. She is among those who died and whose body was exhumed,” said Ali Issa.
Michael Rua, another resident, said he lost eight relatives under the Shakahola cult.
“I lost my aunt, two cousins, their wives and children. Four have been identified but the rest are still missing. I fear they could be among those exhumed in Kwa Binzaro,” he said.
The families are also appealing for government compensation to help them cope with the losses.
