Two years after the horrifying Shakahola Massacre shocked Kenya and the world, the slow and painful process of bringing closure to grieving families has begun. On Thursday, the Malindi Mortuary opened its gates once more, as families lined up to collect the remains of their loved ones who perished under the grip of the now-banned Good News International Church led by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.

For many, it was the day they dreaded yet longed for. Sixteen bodies were released to families after months of forensic work, DNA testing, and court processes. More than 300 other victims remain unidentified, lying in silence in mortuary freezers as the government and human rights groups race against time to match DNA samples.

One of the families finally receiving closure was that of George Keya Okaka, a father who lost nearly everything. On Thursday morning, his trembling hands clutched the forms that confirmed the identities of his wife and three children aged 15, 11, and 6.

“Nilikuwa hapa mwezi wa tatu nikaleta DNA kwa ajili ya watoto wangu watano na mke wangu. Kwa sasa miili imepatikana ni nne: watoto watatu na mama. Kwa saa hii ni mipango ya mazishi,”
said a tearful Okaka, his voice breaking as relatives consoled him outside the mortuary.

Okaka recounted a painful story of love, faith, and loss how his wife fell under the spell of Paul Mackenzie’s teachings in 2019 while working in Nairobi’s Industrial Area. Despite his efforts to pull her away from the cult, the lure of “spiritual salvation” proved stronger.

“Nilijua wakati Mackenzie alishikwa nikajua amepotelea kwa Mackenzie,” he recalled.
“Nilijaribu kuwatorosha 2020. Mke wangu akajaribu kutoroka tena. 2022 alikuwa na number ya kucoordinate na wafuasi wa Mackenzie. Nilipata amechoma ID akatoroka.”

In 2023, she took their five children and vanished into the dense Shakahola Forest the place followers believed would be their gateway to heaven if they starved themselves to death. Only four of his family’s remains have been found so far. Two a four-year-old and an eight-month-old are still missing.

A Nation Still Healing

At the Malindi Mortuary, grief hung in the air like mist. Relatives whispered prayers, others wailed uncontrollably as hearses lined up to ferry the remains back home for burial. Human rights activists and government officials were present to oversee the solemn process.

So far, 60 bodies have been positively identified through DNA analysis, according to human rights organization Haki Afrika. But with over 300 bodies still awaiting identification, the road to closure remains long and torturous.

“Kile kinachoendelea ni DNA testing. Ile miili iko hapa ni mingi sana. So far 60 bodies ndio imematch. Kuna more than 300 bodies ambazo bado kutambuliwa,”
said human rights advocate Walid Sketty, who has been closely following the case.

Haki Afrika’s Mathias Shipeta, a Rapid Response Officer, said the DNA matching process is not just for closure it’s a critical part of ensuring justice for the victims.

“Process hii ni muhimu kwa sababu ile kesi inayoendelea, majina ya waliofariki itakuwa important,” Shipeta said.

Justice and Accountability

The Shakahola massacre, which came to light in early 2023, exposed a chilling web of religious manipulation and state failure. Paul Mackenzie, a self-proclaimed pastor, allegedly convinced hundreds of his followers to fast to death to “meet Jesus.” By the time authorities intervened, shallow graves filled with bodies men, women, and children told a story too painful to comprehend.

Mackenzie and several of his associates are facing multiple charges, including murder, terrorism, and radicalization. The slow pace of the legal process, however, continues to frustrate victims’ families.

“We want justice and accountability,” said Elizabeth Mutheu, another affected relative. “We have waited too long. These bodies deserve dignity, and those responsible must face the full force of the law.”

The Search for Identity

Behind the statistics are hundreds of unanswered questions. Forensic experts are still working tirelessly to collect, test, and match DNA samples. The process is complicated by poor recordkeeping, incomplete family samples, and the advanced decomposition of many bodies.

Authorities have urged any families with missing relatives to visit DNA collection centres in Kilifi, Kakamega, and Nairobi. “Every sample counts,” said a government pathologist. “Even a single relative’s DNA could help bring closure to a family.”

Despite the challenges, human rights organizations say the exercise must continue until every victim is identified and given a dignified burial.

A Cry for Change

The Shakahola tragedy has forced Kenya to re-examine the limits of religious freedom, mental health awareness, and government oversight. How could so many die in silence just a few hours from a major town?

Experts have called for stricter regulation of religious institutions and psychological support for families recovering from cult indoctrination. “This is not just about Mackenzie,” said sociologist Dr. Miriam Achieng. “It’s about vulnerability, poverty, and the desperate search for hope.”

The Pain of Goodbye

As dusk settled over Malindi, hearse engines rumbled and families began their journeys back home. Each coffin carried not just a body but a story of faith twisted into tragedy.

For George Okaka and dozens of others, closure comes in fragments. “I am burying them,” he whispered, “but I am not at peace. Not until all my children are home.”