Office of the Ombudsman implicates 6 officials in the Shakahola massacre

Published By Jedida Barasa For The Statesman Digital
1 month ago

A report released by the Commission on Administrative Justice, also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has exposed severe failures by police and administrative officials in the Shakahola massacre, one of Kenya’s most horrific recent tragedies.

The report, unveiled today, directly implicates six government officials in the deaths of 436 people.

The investigation, initiated by a Senate Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendations, reveals that these officials ignored multiple warnings about illegal activities led by Paul Mackenzie, the self-proclaimed pastor behind the massacre.

The Ombudsman’s findings highlight a gross dereliction of duty by both the National Government Administration and the National Police Service.

Among those found culpable are Thuo Ngugi, the former Deputy County Commissioner for Malindi Sub-County, and Daniel Ntausi, the former Assistant County Commissioner for Langobaya Division.

Also named are Raymond Mcharo, the current Chief of Chakama Location; Senior Superintendent of Police Charles Kamau, the former Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer for Malindi; Chief Inspector Hassan Hamara, the former Officer Commanding Station for Langobaya Police Station; and Sergeant Joseph Yator, a DCI officer in Malindi Sub-County.

The report indicates that these officials failed to act on numerous reports about Mackenzie’s illegal activities, which included running unregistered schools and promoting extremist ideologies.

These activities had been reported to local authorities from 2021 to 2023 but were ignored, allowing the massacre to unfold.

The Ombudsman’s report calls for immediate disciplinary action against the six implicated officials and urges the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to thoroughly investigate the ignored reports.

The report also recommends systemic changes, including enhanced surveillance, better coordination between police and administrative services, and improved resources for local authorities.

Ombudsman officials have urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that Langobaya Police Station is provided with an official vehicle and that local administrative offices receive adequate transport. These measures are aimed at preventing future tragedies and ensuring accountability.

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The Shakahola tragedy, which began with the discovery of malnourished children and escalated to unearthing shallow graves, underscores critical failures within Kenya’s law enforcement and administrative systems. The Ombudsman’s report serves as a stark reminder of the need for reform and vigilance to protect citizens from such catastrophic events.

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