National Intelligence Service, DCI offices in Kilifi recalled amid Shakahola deaths
Officers attached to the National Intelligence Service, (NIS) National Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who were based at Shakahola area, in Kilifi County have been redeployed.
President William Ruto confirmed the move, which he said will enable thorough investigations to be held in the area.
A senior NIS officer privy to the matter said by mid-last week, the officers had been asked to vacate the area as investigations of what has been happening in Shakahola where over 100 bodies have been exhumed from shallow graves.
The bodies are believed to be those of members of the Good News International (GNI) church which was led by cult-leader Paul Mackenzie who asked the followers to starve themselves to death as it was the only way they would go to heaven and meet Jesus.
“The NIS team that was based in the area has already been recalled to Nairobi, this also happened to senior detectives attached to the DCI who have been moved out of the area so as investigations can take place without any form of interference,” said the senior NIS officer who spoke in confidence as they are not authorised to address the media.
However, Nairobi News understands that a number of reports compiled by NIS on the activities that took place in the forest had been put together and handed over but no action had been taken.
Two days ago, all police commanders in Kilifi County were redeployed in a move aimed at allowing a thorough probe be conducted into the cult which was led by Mr Mackenzie who is currently in police custody.
The arrest of Mr Mackenzie also led to the arrest of Pastor Ezekiel Odero who has also been linked to the bodies which are being exhumed at Shakahola Forest.
Early last week, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi who is also the immediate former Kilifi Governor faulted NIS and community policing programmes for failing to expose the Mr Mackenzie led cult.
“What happened in Shakahola is awful. It ought not to have happened but it happened all the same, worse still to very innocent people,” he said.
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