MALINDI — 2023 · Major Tragedy
Shakahola Forest Deaths
In April 2023 mass graves of members of a church group were found in the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County on Kenya's coast. Investigators said members had been encouraged to starve in order to "meet Jesus" before the end of the world. Exhumations recovered 429 bodies linked to deaths between 2021 and 2023, many of them children. Hundreds of people remain listed as missing. The group's pastor and dozens of co-accused are on trial on charges including manslaughter, terrorism and child abuse, and the case has opened debate on Kenya's oversight of religious groups.
- Date
- 2023
- Place
- Kilifi, Kenya, Malindi, KE
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- -3.1000, 39.6600 ↗
Timeline of Events
- April 2023Mass graves were found in Shakahola forest; the group leader was detained.
- 2023Exhumations continued; the death toll passed 400.
- January 2024The leader and dozens of others were charged with manslaughter.
- 2024The trial of the accused began.
- 2025The death toll was put at 429; the trial continues.
Sources
- Nation — 429 deaths, 600 unaccounted for: Shakahola nation.africa ↗
- Capital FM — Shakahola bodies to be buried after DCI probe capitalfm.africa ↗
- Nation Africa
- Capital FM Kenya
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.