As the government ramps up its investigation into the horrifying religious cult in Shakahola woodland, Kilifi county, which has claimed more than 200 lives, President William Ruto has pleaded for Kenyans to be patient.
President Ruto informed the populace that the government is determined to finding out what is causing the killings while speaking at a church service on Sunday, May 14. He also requested additional time to give security services enough time to finish their investigations.
“I want to assure you that the government is going to get to the bottom of what really happened,” Ruto said.
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“Give us a little time, our security agencies are working around the clock so that we can unravel these acts that shame the people who want to abuse the sanctity of religion and cause loss of lives.”
The Head of State said the government would work with the church to prevent the heinous acts from reoccurring in the future.
“We are going to work with the church so that we can prevent anything like that from ever happening again in the republic of Kenya,” Ruto added.
“We have to be sensitive and I am confident that our religious leaders will give us the guidance on how true religion is not taken advantage of by a few people who have aims that are not very legitimate.”
The number of deaths linked to the religious cult in Kilifi, hit 201 on Saturday after 22 more bodies were exhumed from the 800-acre forest.
The deaths are linked to the cultic preachings of controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church said to have influenced followers of the Malindi-based church to fast to death with a promise of “meeting Jesus”.
The pastor remains in custody as the probe continues. Early this month, the President appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the killings dubbed “Shakahola Massacre”.
The President has established a task force to comprehensively assess the existing legal and regulatory framework that oversees religious organizations.
Judge Jessie Lesiit, a distinguished member of the Court of Appeal, has been appointed by the President to lead the commission. The primary objective of this commission is to investigate and gather information regarding the unfortunate incidents involving the deaths, torture, and instances of inhumane and degrading treatment of individuals associated with Makenzie's church.
