Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen has appealed to families who lost their loved ones in the Shakahola cult killings to provide DNA samples for identification.
According to the CS, the probe has been delayed by families that are yet to provide the samples to fast track identification so that those affected can get justice and closure.
Additionally, CS Murkomen said this process will enable the government to establish a monument for the unidentified bodies retrieved at the shallow graves in Shakahola forest, which is part of the Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County.
“ We are committed to expediting the investigations and the Government Chemist is seeking samples for DNA matching,” said the CS.
He urged, “We call for cooperation to get the right samples. Only few people are complaining of losing their people. For those not identified, we will make a memorial site. “
Addressing journalists after a security meeting in Kilifi county, the CS admitted the process had faced financial constraints , contributing it to the delays in completion of the probe.
“The resources required is a lot but we seek a one-off budget to conclude the probe in the next three to four months to designate a site for a monument,” Murkomen said.
He also regretted that the Shakahola incident was an act of religious extremism and radicalisation that should have been detected earlier.
“Whether this was an act of omission or commission by our security officers between 2020 and 2021, people specially culpable, perhaps due to some lapses, we will get to the bottom of that and proper evidence will lead to prosecution,” promised the CS.
He added, “Governments act in perpetuity and therefore it is regrettable that somebody recieved intelligence and failed to act on it.”
The CS also said citizens should have done their civic duty as good neighbours to raise an alarm on the activities which led to the death of over 500 people.
He noted that substance abuse was a major concern in the region, adding it was a matter that needed an all-of-society approach to eradicate it.
The CS said the programme to improve police and administrators’ welfare while modernizing their work stations were well on course.
The CS revealed that as high as half of the police stations in the country and 40 percent of NGAOs, did not have vehicles, adding that the ongoing process of leasing 5000 vehicles will mitigate the accute shortage.
The process of leasing 5,000 vehicles and motorcycles, which is is being handled by the National Treasury, is nearing completion, the CS said.
He explained that the planned recruitment of 10,000 police officers will ease the current shortage while improving their efficiency.
“The required rotation of officers remains a challenges, especially operational border areas, and the recruitment will help to mitigate this,” said the CS in response to concerns that some officers who have stayed in various stations could be in collusion of criminal elements.
The CS guaranteed locals of their security, saying despite the challenges hightlighted, measure have been put in place the address them.
He is accompanied by PS correctional services Salome Beacco, locals MPs and MCAs and top security officials.
