Report Reveals Security Blunder in Pastor Mackenzie’s Case
The Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR) has strongly criticized security personnel and National Administration Officers allegedly involved in the Shakahola massacre, demanding prompt accountability and justice for those affected.
In their document named “Mashaka ya Shakahola,” published on Friday, March 22, KNHCR accuses the officers of culpable negligence, asserting that their conduct, both active and passive, contributed to the tragic occurrences of the massacre.
As per the KNCHR, authorities in Malindi had numerous chances to step in and stop the loss of lives, especially following the apprehension of Paul Mackenzie in 2017.
The report indicates that Mackenzie’s involvement in radicalization was brought up during a session of the Kilifi County Court User’s Committee in November 2019, but little action was taken in response to these concerns.
The commission also emphasizes the struggle faced by individuals who tried to alert others about the developing crisis in Shakahola.
In November 2022, someone who used to support Mackenzie shared their frantic attempts to raise awareness about the issue on social media. Rather than looking into the allegations, they encountered intimidation and were accused of spreading unfounded claims.
“The Commission regrets that no known sanctions were taken against those officers who abdicated their duty to protect the hundreds of persons including children who are either missing, dead, or deeply traumatized as a result of their acts of gross negligence,” the report states.
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The report’s startling disclosure outlines how officials called upon administrators of social media platforms and pressured them to delete content discussing the massacre. This raises significant apprehensions regarding the freedom to express opinions and the stifling of crucial information.
The KNCHR calls for swift government intervention, including promptly excavating the bodies in Shakahola and assisting survivors in retrieving important documents lost as a result of indoctrination and radicalization.
Government documents from April to October of the previous year show that 429 corpses have been unearthed, leading to the rescue of 67 adults and 25 children.
The KNCHR, entrusted with the broad mandate of advocating for and safeguarding human rights, has been closely monitoring the Shakahola tragedy since March 2023.
The KNHCR suggests that Parliament enact legislation requiring churches to regulate themselves, drawing parallels to the establishment of the Media Council of Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya as models for self-regulation.
“Enact an effective self-regulatory legal regime of the religious sector similar to the Media Council of Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya. Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right, but like other rights, it is not absolute,” reads part of the commission’s three recommendations to Parliament.
It additionally urges Parliament to formally request the state to disclose all relevant data and information concerning the Shakahola tragedy to the public.
Report Reveals Security Blunder in Pastor Mackenzie’s Case
