A second suspect in the Shakahola massacre has died while undergoing treatment, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has said.
ODPP said Edison Safari Munyambo alias Baba Sifa died a few days ago at a Mombasa hospital where he was undergoing treatment after a short illness.
“He is the second accused person to die in custody after Mary Charo Mbita, who died at Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital,” ODPP said on X.
The deceased duo is part of 95 accused persons charged with 283 counts of manslaughter before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku.
The accused persons led by the prime mastermind, Paul Nthege Mackenzie are also facing several charges including torture and cruelty against children, violation of Basic Education Act, terrorism, radicalisation, being members of a terrorist group and murder.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina confirmed to Ithuku the demise of the accused person.
He stated that the case should proceed while the court awaits the official confirmation document.
He indicated that once the court is briefed accordingly, the case against the deceased suspect can be marked as abated.
Over 440 bodies have been retrieved from shallow graves in the expansive Shakahola forest since April last year. The victims are believed to have been followers of Mackenzie.
The tragedy unfolded with the discovery of neglected and malnourished children, ultimately leading to the unearthing of shallow graves and the rescue of survivors.
A recent report of the Commission on Administrative Justice which probed the Shakahola tragedy blamed the police and state administrators for the deaths.
The report said there was dereliction of duty by the two agencies which allowed the occurrence of the tragedy.
The commission has recommended that the Principal Secretary of State Department for Interior and Coordination of National Administration and the National Police Service Commission hold to account the various duty bearers.
