Nearly a year after the Shakahola massacre sent shivers down the nation, investigations have unearthed and exposed six government officials and how their negligence led to numerous deaths.
According to a report released by Commission on Administrative Justice, also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, the deaths were preventable and coukd not have been hundreds with the exact number of people found to be 436.
The report details how six government officials failed to act despite receiving numerous warnings and reports about the killings at Shakahola and their negligence is what pushed the numbers to hundreds.
Fundings from the Shakahola Investigations show that there was a gross dereliction of duty by officials from both the National Government Administration and the National Police Service, who ignored clear warnings and allowed the massacre to unfold.
Among those found culpable are Thuo Ngugi, the former Deputy County Commissioner for Malindi Sub-County, and Daniel Ntausi, the former Assistant County Commissioner for Langobaya Division.
The report also names Raymond Mcharo, the current Chief of Chakama Location, along with Senior Superintendent of Police Charles Kamau, the former Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer for Malindi.
In addition, Chief Inspector Hassan Hamara, the former Officer Commanding Station for Langobaya Police Station, and Sergeant Joseph Yator, a DCI officer in Malindi Sub-County were also named in the report.
These individuals, according to the Ombudsman, failed to take necessary actions despite receiving numerous reports about the illegal activities of Paul Mackenzie, the self-proclaimed pastor behind the massacre.
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In conclusion, the Ombudsman’s recommendations are clear: the officials responsible must be held accountable, and systemic changes must be implemented to prevent such a tragedy from happening again