New Shakahola shock as 6 siblings go missing. Authorities suspect six children from the same household have died in a suspected revival of the Shakahola cult killings. The victims Flora (15), Mary (14), Christine (10), Shadrach (6), Esther (4), and Tonny (1) are believed to be buried within Kwa Binzaro village, located deep in Chakama Ranch, Kilifi.
The children had previously survived the 2023 Shakahola cult incident. After their rescue, officials relocated the family to Siaya County for rehabilitation and safety.
In March 2025, their father, Jairus, misled relatives by claiming he had landed a job opportunity in Bondo. Instead, he secretly took his wife and children back to Kilifi, allegedly to reunite with preacher Paul Makenzie’s outlawed religious sect.
Sadly, the children never returned. Security teams rescued Jairus and his wife, Lilian Atieno, from the forest last weekend. Authorities arrested the couple along with two others at the scene.
The suspected deaths have reignited fears of a renewed cult crisis. Investigators continue to search the area as they piece together how the family slipped through the cracks.
This tragic case has put a spotlight back on Kenya’s ongoing battle with dangerous religious cults and the urgent need for stronger post-rescue monitoring and intervention.
