11 police officers are facing sanctions,Shakahola investigations
11 police officers are facing sanctions,Shakahola investigations
Senior police officials, including the previous County Police Commander Jecinta Wesonga, were criticized for their negligence about the massacre, which was discovered early in the year, in a report written by the committee headed by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana.
Former Malindi Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC), Senior County Criminal Investigation Officer, and Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit chiefs are among the other personnel mentioned in the 175-page study.
“The Committee noted that Paul Mackenzie reversed course and downplayed his radical views as a result of a warning from the county security committee in 2022. He claimed to be a farmer and that he had given up preaching and affiliation with the church.
“Evidence availed to the Committee indicates that the Kilifi County Security Committee had prior knowledge of Paul Mackenzie’s activities but failed to act on the information,” the report said.
After the Senate approves the report, Mungatana’s Committee urged the National Police Service (NPS) to enact the punishments within 30 days. However, the Committee criticized the CS Kithure Kindiki-led Ministry of Interior and NPS for replacing senior police chiefs after the massacre was revealed.
The committee contends that an investigation should have taken place before the cops were sent to another location. The senior police leaders, according to Mungatama and his team, would have given investigating agencies pertinent information on Mackenzie and his teachings.
On the other hand, the Committee also suggested that the Ministry of Interior, under the direction of Kithure Kindiki, impose sanctions on National Government officials who did nothing about Mackenzie’s activities.
“The Committee recommends that, within sixty (60) days of the Senate’s adoption of this report, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration establish a multi-agency, multi-stakeholder de-radicalization and rehabilitation committee to help the survivors reintegrate into their homes, families, and communities.
“The Committee recommends that the National Intelligence Service sets up an observatory to monitor extremist ideology with a view to identifying those with harmful activities within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this report by the Senate,” according to a portion of the study.
The Ad Hoc committee also urged authorities to swiftly investigate Mackenzie and bring charges against him within thirty (30) days of the report’s adoption. The 175-page report will likely be discussed by senators next week.
