Kilifi: Govt on the Spot As Fear Grows of New Cult after Discovery of Fresh Body in Chakama Forest
- Authorities in Kilifi County are investigating the discovery of three shallow graves containing fresh human bones and skulls in Kwa Binzaro, Chakama Ranch
- The remains were first spotted by residents who saw bones scattered in a thicket, apparently unearthed by hyenas
- Kwa Binzaro lies only a few kilometres from Shakahola Forest, the site of the 2023 massacre linked to a religious cult that claimed more than 400 lives
- Police say the latest case bears disturbing similarities to Shakahola, raising fears of another cult operating in the area
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Kilifi county is once again at the centre of an investigation after the discovery of three shallow graves containing fresh human bones and skulls in Kwa Binzaro, Chakama Ranch.
Source: Getty Images
The grim discovery in the coastal county has once again raised fears of a new cult operating in the area.
The discovery, made over the weekend, came after residents stumbled upon human bones scattered in a thicket. They alerted authorities, suspecting the remains had been unearthed by hyenas.
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Kwa Binzaro is only a few kilometres from Shakahola, the site of the 2023 massacre that claimed more than 400 lives in one of Kenya’s deadliest cases of religious extremism.
Police said the latest find was linked to suspected cult activities and bore striking similarities to Shakahola.
Kilifi Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Robert Kiinge confirmed detectives had returned to the forest to investigate.
Why did Kilifi residents fault govt?
Human rights activists in the region condemned what they called the government’s failure to act swiftly.
Walid Sketty of Vocal Afrika expressed outrage over the handling of the case, saying officials were waiting until after the tragedy struck to respond.
"We've seen bones, we've seen ribs, we've seen head shells that were recovered there. And I think the police have confirmed this. But this is a shame. This is a shame from our Ministry of Interior that we wait until a disaster occurs. That's when we start being reactive instead of being or having been proactive," he said.
Sketty, who has worked with survivors of the Shakahola massacre, said the latest case was even more disturbing because the remains were being tampered with by animals.
"Hyenas are digging the Kwa Binzaro area, Shakahola two. Hyenas are eating dead bodies. The exhumation process that was supposed to be done by the government it is, unfortunately, being done by wild animals. This is the total disrespect of a human being," Walid added.
Source: UGC
Another Kilifi-based activist, Welket Mukami, questioned how long the remains of loved ones would continue to be unearthed in such a manner.
"Since when did the bodies of our loved ones start being dug up by hyenas? What we are asking is, government, where are you? We want assistance, come and help us exhume those bodies," he said.
Why are Kilifi residents uneasy?
The latest deaths have sparked growing anxiety among residents, with many fearing that another cult may be operating in the area.
Chakama Ranch has, in recent months, been linked to cases of radical religious teachings that prey on vulnerable communities.
Last month, police rescued four people and began investigations into the mysterious deaths of at least three others in the same village, in what authorities suspect was another case of religious radicalisation.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
