When the news about the Shakahola massacre broke in early 2023, the newly elected government was barely 6 months in office.
However, the ministry of Interior and National government was put on the spotlight not only by the mainstream media but also by the international community.
All security departments ie the General service unit, regular police, national intelligence and even the Kenya Defence forces were roped in to help in mapping the forest and making sure the forest was accessible.
The first deaths were recorded when the sub County security and intelligence Committee visited the forest after one Stephen Muiti made a phone call to the Regional Police commander vide the number 112.
It is believed that a signal was immediately sent to the security headquarters in Nairobi and the sub County security team was instructed to get to the ground and report findings.
On the ground the team found many adherent members of the Good News International Church weak and emaciated lying in the Bush. Six members were rescued as the team had limited number of vehicles that day. Sadly four succumbed while being rushed to Malindi general hospital.
That marked the begging of a tally that eventually rose to over 400 bodies.
From the time of the discovery of the massacre, the police and security details appeared very well Cordinated and here one man, the Cabinet Secretary ministry of Interior and Cordination of national government Professor Abraham Kithure Kindiki stool exceptional.
The Lenana High school alumni and student of Master degree in Law from Pretoria University in South Africa was not too common in the media before despite his position as a CS.
The unfortunate incident that claimed lives of many and completely shattered many dreams provided an opportunity for the former Tharaka Nithi Senetor to showcase his prowses in planning and bisecting such serious concern.
Kindiki immediately formed a command centre based at the entrance of the forest in Shakahola where daily updates were issued by only the Coast Regional Cordinator Md Rhoda Onyancha.
The centre also served the public on enquiries of any untraceable persons especially for families who lived far from the coast.
Inside the forest, over 400 security officers combed the forest and rescued hundreds of women and men some who were guarding the fasting faithfuls.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Mr Amin Mohamed frequently visited the forest to check on the progress of the then national exercise. By that time Mackenzie and his accomplice were already in custody.
The homicide Unit under the directorship of Mr Martin Nyuguto started by marking and identifying the number of graves in the forest.
One afternoon Kindiki the CS, landed in the forest. He was quickly briefed by Mr Nyuguto, then shown several mass graves where bodies of men, women and children were lying. He was visibly moved and tears rolled down his checks profusely.
He however braced the bad smell and appeared agitated. Upon addressing the press, the professor assured the nation and world at lerge that Mackenzie would never see freedom.
Reliable sources wispered that after his visit, one renowned man of the cloth was arraigned in court to answer charges of radicalisation.
Being a seasoned international advocate Kindiki used his skills to map out how the state would maneuver the case in court.
The ministry of Interior under Kindiki’s leadership mapped out the case into four categories a)Murder case registered in Malindi Law Court Kilifi County b)radicalisation in Shanzu, Mombasa County c)manslaughter case in Mombasa High Court, Mombasa County and d) Children’s case at Tononoka in Mombasa County. All these cases run concurrent and so far the child torture case is almost in conclusion at Tononoka law courts.
According to Prof Kindiki, the state aims at sending message to church leaders and pastors with questionable characters so that the nation does not witness a repeat of that massacre.
Exhumation exercise came to an end with over 400 bodies exumed.
Currently all the cases are on going except the murder case which was adjourned following an application made at the court of appeal. Families are hopeful that the matters will be fast tracked to enable them prepare for befitting send off for their kins.