Jessie Lessit, a judge on the Court of Appeal, will be in charge of a commission looking into the Shakahola massacre.
The committee of investigation was gazetted by President William Ruto, who claimed that members of the Good News International Church had been the victims of mass killings, cruel treatment, maiming, and other inhumane and degrading crimes.
Within six months of May 4, 2023, the commission of inquiry must compile a report and provide it to the president along with suggestions. He claimed that the nation was startled by the number of fatalities and the heinousness of the crimes committed against those responsible.
Ruto stated that in order to create a legal framework for religious centers to function under, he will have in-depth consultations with spiritual leaders from all across the nation. The framework, according to the President, would aid in taming those who use religion as a justification for pursuing their own interests.
He said, “I will consult with our religious leaders to create a task force we can weed out the characters who want to exploit religion to run businesses and things that are anti-religious.”
“We want to provide a framework agreed upon with our religious leaders that will allow for self-regulation so that our church, religious, and spiritual leaders can have a mechanism where they can point out to government those who want to abuse religion for other purposes.”
The President claimed that the Shakahola tragedy has highlighted the issue of religious extremist groups, sects, cults, and other organizations of a like nature existing in Kenya.
According to Ruto, the creation of a framework to record the facts of the tragedy and to look into the subject is necessary due to the unusual nature of the crimes committed and the difficulties in gathering evidence in such circumstances.
The other commissioners will be Wanyama Musiambu, Albert Musasia, Eric Gumbo, Bishop Catherine Mutua, Dr. Jonathan Lodompui, and Justice (Rtd) Mary Muhanji Kasango. Rachel Maina and Oliver Kipchumba Karori will serve as joint secretaries.
Kioko Kilukumi will serve as the principal attorney, and Vivian Janet Nyambeki and Bahati Mwamuye will support her. The commission’s task will be to look into the incidents of fatalities, torture, inhumane treatment, and degrading treatment of Good News International Church members and others in Kilifi county. Additionally, it will clarify the circumstances around the killings, torture, and other cruel and humiliating treatment.