By Wilfred Kizito
A Malindi court has granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) permission to exhume bodies believed to be buried in shallow graves in the Binzaro area, Makongeni Sub-location, on the outskirts of Malindi town.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Resident Magistrate Hon. Irene Thamara issued the order after an application by the DCI, directing the Chief Government Pathologist to oversee the exhumation process. The court mandated that the remains undergo postmortems, DNA profiling, and toxicological tests to establish the causes and circumstances of the deaths.
Prosecution Counsel Judy Gachuru told the court that investigators suspect the victims may have died through starvation and suffocation in what authorities believe is part of a wider network of radicalisation and organised criminal activity.
In an affidavit submitted by the DCI, preliminary investigations revealed the presence of several suspected shallow graves in the area. The affidavit further stated that survivors rescued from the scene were unable to account for several missing children, raising serious concerns of foul play.
“Our preliminary inquiries have so far established the existence of several suspected shallow graves where bodies were concealed,” read part of the affidavit.
The investigation has led to scrutiny of eleven individuals: Jairus Otieno Odere, Lilian Akinyi, Kahonzi Katana Karisa, Loice Zawadi, Safari Kenga Nzai, Karisa Gona Fondo, Gona Charo Kalama, Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, James Kahindi and Sharleen Temba Anido.
They are being investigated for alleged involvement in murder, radicalisation, facilitation of terrorism, and organised crime.
“Hon. Thamara also directed the Officer Commanding Malindi Police Division and the Officer Commanding Lango Baya Police Station to provide adequate security during the exhumation process,” stated the ODPP.
Additionally, the Public Health Officer for Malindi has been instructed to oversee health and safety measures and ensure all recovered remains are preserved at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital for forensic analysis.