Fresh Cult Fears in Kilifi as Police Exhume Five Bodies Near Shakahola

Kilifi — Police have exhumed five bodies from shallow graves in Kwa Binzaro village, Kilifi County, reigniting fears of a new cult-related tragedy just kilometers from the infamous Shakahola massacre site. The grisly discovery, made on Thursday, has once again placed the region at the center of Kenya’s ongoing struggle to monitor extremist religious groups.

A Grim Discovery Near Shakahola

Detectives recovered the remains from four graves as they combed 27 suspected burial spots in the remote village. Acting on community reports of missing children and possible foul play, police deployed forensic teams to the site earlier in the week.

Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Biwott confirmed the operation, saying exhumations were continuing. “We have so far recovered five bodies. Investigations are active, and more graves may yield additional remains as the operation progresses,” Biwott told reporters.

The location is just a few kilometers from Shakahola Forest, where more than 400 followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie were found dead in 2023 after being starved in what investigators termed a doomsday cult. The Kwa Binzaro case is already drawing comparisons, with officials worried it may involve a splinter sect that adopted similarly lethal rituals.

Signs of Ritual Deaths

Preliminary evidence suggests the victims may have been starved or suffocated as part of an extremist religious practice. Authorities say at least 11 suspects are under investigation, and early intelligence links them to radical sect activities in the coastal region.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated that once forensic tests are complete, suspects will face charges ranging from murder to unlawful disposal of bodies. “We will move firmly and ensure accountability. Such atrocities cannot be allowed to take root again,” an ODPP official stated.

Community Outcry and Missing Children

The breakthrough came after villagers reported several children had gone missing in recent weeks. Residents, fearing a repeat of the Shakahola horrors, raised the alarm, prompting the police operation.

“I lost a niece three months ago. We searched everywhere. Now I fear she could be among those buried here,” said one tearful villager, underscoring the community’s anguish.

Renewed Scrutiny of Fringe Religious Groups

The latest discovery has reignited debate about the state’s ability to regulate religious organizations and protect vulnerable communities. Critics argue that despite the shock of Shakahola, oversight of fringe sects remains weak, allowing radical preachers to exploit desperate followers.

Human rights groups have called for stronger enforcement of laws on registration of religious movements and better social support for survivors of cult exploitation. “This is not just a security issue—it is about safeguarding fundamental freedoms while preventing abuse in the name of faith,” said a representative from Haki Africa, a civil society group.

National Reckoning Continues

The Kwa Binzaro case adds another painful chapter to Kenya’s reckoning with cult-related violence. The Shakahola massacre exposed deep institutional gaps, including failures in early detection, community intelligence gathering, and protection of at-risk families.

Analysts warn that unless Kenya strengthens its surveillance of religious extremism—while balancing constitutional freedoms—the cycle of abuse may persist. “We are facing a systemic problem, not isolated incidents. Without policy reform, Shakahola will not be the last,” said a Nairobi-based security expert.

What Comes Next

Forensic teams will continue exhumations in Kwa Binzaro over the coming days, with the potential for more bodies to be uncovered. Survivors and families of the missing await DNA results to confirm the identities of the victims.

The government, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that lessons from Shakahola have been learned, and that Kenya’s coastal communities will not endure another preventable tragedy.