Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has petitioned the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to address plans by the Kilifi County Government to bury 443 unclaimed remains linked to the Shakahola tragedy. Sifuna raised concerns over the plan, pressing for clarity on DNA profiling and forensic identification work on the remains. He questioned whether relatives of missing persons have been engaged and if every effort to identify victims has been made.
Sifuna expressed concern that some remains may still hold forensic value for ongoing investigations into missing persons, and that premature burial could compromise inquiries. He argued that a thorough forensic and identification process must be completed before interment is finalised. Sifuna seeks confirmation on the status of forensic examinations on all 443 bodies and the basis for the burial timeline.
The Senator wants assurances that bereaved families will be given time and opportunity to identify and claim their relatives, allowing for dignified burials conducted by their own kin. He called for an update on recovery and investigative efforts at the Shakahola site, including indications of additional human remains. The intervention aims to ensure the planned mass burial does not obstruct active investigations or strip families of the chance to determine the fate of their loved ones.
The Shakahola tragedy, which came to light in 2023, involved the deaths of followers of pastor Paul Mackenzie's Good News International Church in Kilifi County. Mackenzie was arrested following the discovery of mass graves in the Shakahola forest, where members of his congregation had starved to death. The tragedy has raised concerns over human rights and the handling of the victims' remains.
Sifuna's petition seeks clarity on the state of DNA profiling and family-tracing processes, ensuring that every reasonable effort is made to identify victims and reunite them with their families. He also wants to confirm that the planned interment will not compromise ongoing forensic investigations at the Shakahola site. The Senator's concerns highlight the need for a thorough and transparent process in handling the victims' remains.
The Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights has been urged to address Sifuna's concerns and provide assurances that the planned mass burial will be conducted in a dignified and respectful manner. The committee must balance the need for closure with the need for thorough forensic investigations and identification of the victims.
The planned burial of 443 unclaimed Shakahola victims by December 2026 has raised concerns over human rights, forensic investigations, and the dignity of the victims and their families. Sifuna's petition highlights the need for a careful and considered approach to handling the remains, ensuring that justice and dignity are served.
Key points
- Senator Edwin Sifuna questions Kilifi County's plan to bury 443 unclaimed Shakahola victims by December 2026.
- Sifuna seeks clarity on DNA profiling and forensic identification work on the remains.
- The planned mass burial has raised concerns over human rights, forensic investigations, and the dignity of the victims and their families.
