11 Cops in Hot Water: Shakahola Probe Spurs Sanctions
The Senate Special Committee investigating the Shakahola Massacre has proposed sanctions against former Kilifi County police chiefs and high-level government officials.
In a report compiled by a committee chaired by Senator Danson Mungatana of Tana River, senior police officials, including former County Police Commander Jecinta Wesonga, were faulted for inaction regarding the early-year massacre.
The 175-page report also names the former Malindi Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC), Senior County Criminal Investigation Officer, and Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit leaders.
Former Malindi, Langobaya Officers Commanding Station (OCSs), and controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie, who was accused of orchestrating the massacre, were also named in the report.
“The Committee observed that due to a warning by the county security committee in 2022, Paul Mackenzie changed tact and minimized his radical teachings. He claimed to be a farmer, and he was no longer associated with the church or preaching.
“Evidence availed to the Committee indicates that the Kilifi County Security Committee had prior knowledge of Paul Mackenzie’s activities but failed to act on the information,” the report read in part.
The Committee on Mungatana requested that the National Police Service (NPS) implement the sanctions within 30 days of the Senate’s adoption of the report.
However, the Committee faulted the Ministry of the Interior, headed by CS Kithure Kindiki, and the National Police Service (NPS) for transferring senior police officials after the massacre was exposed.
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Instead of being transferred to other areas, the officers should have been investigated, according to the committee.
According to Mungatama and his team, senior police officials would have provided investigative agencies with pertinent information about Mackenzie and his teachings.
On the other hand, the Committee also proposed that Kithure Kindiki’s Ministry of the Interior sanction National Government officials who neglected to act in response to Mackenzie’s actions.
“The Committee recommends that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration establish a multi–agency and multi-stakeholder de-radicalization and rehabilitation committee to facilitate the reintegration of the survivors to their homes, families, and communities within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this report by the Senate.
“The Committee recommends that the National Intelligence Service sets up an observatory to monitor extremist ideology to identify those with harmful activities within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this report by the Senate,” read the report in part.
In addition, the Ad Hoc committee demanded that police expedite their investigations of Mackenzie and prosecute him within thirty (30) days of the adoption of the report.
In the upcoming week, senators are anticipated to debate the 175-page report.
11 Cops in Hot Water: Shakahola Probe Spurs Sanctions