Families of the more than 400 victims of the Shakahola cult massacre are poised to finally receive the remains of their loved ones today, nearly a year after the tragic incident came to light. This development follows the release of DNA results for the exhumed bodies by pathologists in February, paving the way for families to proceed with the burial of their kin.

Dr. Johansen Oduor, the government pathologist leading the postmortem process, has collaborated with a multi-sectoral team involved in the investigation in preparation for the next phase of exhumations. Dr. Oduor highlighted the significant challenge of gaining cooperation from family members due to the stigma surrounding the cause of death, which has been linked to cultism, slowing down the identification process.

As investigations continue, the main suspect, Pastor Paul Mackenzie, along with his 95 co-accused, remains in detention. They face a myriad of charges in court, including engaging in organized criminal activity, radicalization, and facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, all of which are violations under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010.

The toll of the suspected cult is staggering, with more than 425 confirmed deaths and over 600 individuals still reported missing. The scrutiny on the cult intensified in 2023 following the tragic deaths of two children under their parents’ care, allegedly due to Mackenzie’s instructions for members of his church to starve themselves to “meet Jesus.”

Reports indicate that Mackenzie’s Good News International church members were influenced to engage in this fatal practice. Mackenzie was arrested on April 15, 2023, and has remained in police custody since then.