Homicide detectives have uncovered shallow graves containing human remains at a homestead in Kwa Binzaro village, just a few kilometres from the notorious Shakahola Forest the site of a mass starvation tragedy linked to a doomsday cult.
The discovery, made on August 11 after a public tip-off revealed four of the seven graves on a five-acre plot already under investigation.
Detectives found fresh bones some with ligaments still attached raising suspicions that the victims had died recently.
Kilifi County Criminal Investigation Officer Robert Kiinge said initial findings suggest the victims may have been starved and suffocated.
“Members of the public reported seeing scattered body parts, prompting our officers to visit the area. That’s when they discovered the graves. The victims appear to have suffered from starvation and suffocation as part of extreme religious practices,” Kiinge said.
Police say the bodies were buried in polythene bags, with vegetables planted on top to conceal the graves.
The High Court has granted detectives 30 days to exhume the remains for post-mortem examinations, DNA testing, and toxicology analysis to determine the exact cause of death.
“We are finalising our preparations and will begin the exhumations within the timeframe set by the court,” Kiinge added.
Prosecutors think the victims perished between March and July 2025. There are eleven suspects, who are considered pivotal persons in the case, charged with organised crime, radicalisation, providing terrorism, and murder. bbb
Kwa Binzaro lies within Chakama Ranch, which also includes Shakahola Forest. The earlier Shakahola tragedy was linked to Pastor Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church, who is accused of instructing followers to fast to death to “meet Jesus.” Mackenzie and 93 others are already facing charges over the deaths of more than 400 people.
