A Shakahola massacre suspect, identified as Kelvin Sudi Asena, has died while in police custody just days before the conclusion of the high-profile trial linked to the cult-related killings that claimed more than 450 lives of followers of the Good News International Church (GNI).
Authorities confirmed that Asena, who was among several individuals charged in connection with the Shakahola tragedy, passed away under unclear circumstances while still facing prosecution in the landmark case.
In a handwritten document described as a “Deed of Act,” the suspect allegedly outlined his final wishes, offering personal reflections on his life, faith, and what he believed were the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the document, Asena also claimed to have information on additional burial sites within the Shakahola forest, where hundreds of victims are believed to have been secretly interred during the cult’s activities.
His final statement has since drawn renewed attention from investigators and the public, raising questions over whether it could assist ongoing efforts to fully account for all victims and uncover remaining mass graves.
The Shakahola tragedy, linked to cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, shocked the country in 2023 after authorities uncovered a vast network of shallow graves in Kilifi County. The case has since been described as one of the worst religiously motivated mass deaths in Kenya’s history.