President Ruto appoints Justice Lesiit-led commission to probe Shakahola massacre

President William Ruto has now constituted a Commission of Inquiry consisting of 13 members to begin a probe into the Shakahola starvation cult where over 100 people have so far been reported dead so far.

President Ruto, in a gazette notice released on Friday, named 8 members to the commission that will be led by Lady Justice Jessie Lesiit.

The other members will be; Lady Justice (Rtd.) Mary Muhanji Kasango, Eric Gumbo, Bishop Catherine Mutua, Dr. Jonathan Lodompui, Dr. Frank Njenga, Wanyama Musiambu and Albert Musasia.

He also named two Joint Secretaries; Oliver Kipchumba Karori and Rachel Maina, as well as Kioko Kilukumi as the Lead Counsel.

President Ruto further designated Vivian Janet Nyambeki and Bahati Mwamuye as the commission’s assisting counsel.

The Head of State, in the notice, tasked the commission with inquiring into the deaths as well as allegations of torture and inhumane treatment of followers of controversial self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie and his Good News International Church based in Kilifi County.

The Justice Lesiit-led team will also probe the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and “inquire into the legal, institutional, administrative, security, and intelligence lapses that may have contributed to the occurrence of the Shakahola tragedy.”

“Identify, based on evidence laid before the Commission, the persons and organizations who bear the greatest responsibility for the Shakahola Tragedy, and to recommend specific actions that should be taken against them including admonition, regulatory actions, reparations, or recommendation for criminal investigation,” said the President.

He further added that the commission should; “Recommend legal, administrative, or other forms of accountability action against any public official whose actions or omissions are established to have wilfully or negligently contributed to the occurrence of the Shakahola Tragedy.”