A chilling discovery has been made in Kwa Binzaro village, Kilifi County, where police have uncovered 21 graves believed to be linked to the doomsday cult associated with controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie. The village lies only a few kilometres from the infamous Shakahola Forest, where over 400 people allegedly died after being forced into starvation in a cult ritual.
Homicide detectives said they revisited the five-acre site to prepare for planned exhumations when they stumbled upon more graves. Some were shallow, with human bones and skulls already visible, apparently disturbed by wild animals. Officials confirmed that the remains will be exhumed for forensic examination, including DNA profiling, post-mortems, and toxicology tests, to identify victims and determine the exact causes of death.
Kilifi County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO) Robert Kiinge revealed that initial evidence points to starvation and suffocation as possible causes. “Detectives were tipped off by members of the public who had seen scattered body parts. Upon visiting the area, we discovered the graves. The victims may have been starved and suffocated as a result of extreme religious ideologies,” he said.
Police are treating Kwa Binzaro as an active crime scene and have arrested several individuals for questioning. Investigators have been following public tips and leads, which continue to direct them to new burial sites in the area.
Families with missing relatives are calling on authorities to expedite forensic work so they can receive closure. However, officials admit that the process may face delays due to limited staff and equipment. Human rights groups and community leaders have urged the government to step in and ensure swift action.
This discovery comes just days after detectives, acting on a separate tip-off, found graves on August 11 in the same locality. Fresh bones, with ligaments still intact, were uncovered in some of those sites, heightening fears of ongoing cult-related killings.
Police have appealed to the public to share any information on missing persons or suspicious activities in Kwa Binzaro with local authorities or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The grim revelations deepen the tragedy surrounding Mackenzie’s cult and raise renewed concerns about the unchecked spread of dangerous religious extremism in the region.
