REVEALED: The Warning Signs Government Ignored Before Hundreds Died in Shakahola

Details have emerged about the warning signs authorities allegedly failed to act on before hundreds of people died in the Shakahola forest tragedy in Kilifi County.

More than 429 bodies were recovered from shallow graves, exposing serious concerns about how reports of missing people, extreme fasting and controversial religious teachings were handled.The tragedy shocked Kenyans in 2023, leaving families devastated as they searched for missing relatives. Investigations revealed that several worrying incidents had occurred before the mass deaths were discovered.

One major warning sign was preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s previous encounters with the law.

In 2017, he was arrested and charged over his religious teachings and allegations of radicalisation but was later acquitted.

In 2019, Mackenzie was arrested again following the deaths of two children linked to starvation in Shakahola.

He was released on bail and returned to the forest, where he continued leading his followers.

Another concern was his opposition to formal education and modern healthcare.

Through his Good News International Ministry, founded in 2003, Mackenzie reportedly encouraged parents to withdraw their children from school, claiming that formal education contradicted his religious beliefs.He also allegedly discouraged followers from seeking medical treatment or using modern medicine, putting sick people and children at risk.

Further concerns emerged in 2019 when Mackenzie reportedly closed his church branches in urban centres, including Nairobi and parts of the Coast.

He subsequently moved his followers to an isolated ranch deep inside the Shakahola forest.

The relocation separated families from their communities, with some relatives losing contact with their loved ones.

Distressed families reportedly approached authorities to report missing relatives, while residents raised concerns about deaths associated with extreme fasting.

However, some deaths were treated as ordinary illnesses, and burial permits were issued without thorough investigations into the circumstances.

Human rights organisations also raised concerns as reports of missing people continued to emerge.Despite these warnings, security agencies faced criticism over their response.

The situation attracted national attention in April 2023 after a human rights organisation provided information that prompted further intervention.

The discovery of hundreds of bodies sparked outrage and raised serious questions about why authorities failed to intervene earlier to prevent the devastating loss of life.

https://x.com/NationAfrica/status/2112179029461569963

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