Kilifi County has set a 21-day deadline for families to identify and collect remains of 443 victims from the 2023 Shakahola massacre before they are buried en masse. The county announced the deadline on September 21, 2026, as part of its plan to inter the remains preserved at Malindi Sub-County. The bodies were retrieved from the Shakahola forest and have remained in county custody since the mass graves were first discovered.
County Executive Committee Member for Health, Peter Mwarogo, confirmed that the bodies have been in the county’s possession for some time. He emphasized the need for families to come forward within the specified period to claim their loved ones. The decision follows ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the 2023 incident, which saw a large number of fatalities.
The mass burial is expected to take place after the deadline, with the county preparing to inter the unclaimed remains. Local authorities have urged families to act quickly to ensure they can recover the bodies of their deceased relatives. The process highlights the ongoing challenges in handling the aftermath of the tragic event.
The situation underscores the emotional and logistical complexities faced by the community in dealing with the consequences of the Shakahola massacre.
