In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro issues a deadline for the government to remove over 400 bodies from Malindi Sub-County Hospital, threatening to relocate them to Kenyatta National Hospital if action is not taken swiftly.
- The bodies, victims of the Shakahola massacre led by televangelist Paul Mackenzie, are causing operational disruptions at the hospital, with only a fraction identified so far, as government officials cite procedural delays in the handover process.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has issued a stern ultimatum, threatening to relocate containers holding the bodies of the Shakahola massacre victims from Malindi Sub-County Hospital to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) if the government does not promptly intervene.
Speaking in Dagamra, Magarini sub-county, Mung’aro expressed concern over the strain on the morgue’s capacity, which currently houses over 400 bodies, and the escalating costs of preservation.
Mung’aro directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to oversee the removal of the bodies by Monday next week.
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Failure to do so would prompt the governor to authorize the relocation of the containers to KNH. He highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for swift government action.
The county governor cited the foul smell emanating from the corpses as a significant disruption to the hospital’s operations and hindrance to the implementation of his administration’s programs.
He outlined plans for the construction of new hospital wings but noted that the presence of the containers was impeding progress.
The Shakahola massacre, orchestrated by televangelist Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church, resulted in the deaths of 429 individuals.
However, only 35 bodies have been conclusively identified, leaving numerous families awaiting closure.
Government officials attribute the delay in handing over the bodies to the lengthy process of exhumation, post-mortem examinations, and identification procedures.
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Mackenzie and his co-accused are facing multiple charges in courts in Mombasa and Malindi in connection with the tragic incident.