Community leaders and Kaya elders claim ownership of  Shakahola land as local MPs call on clear demarcation of boundaries

Community leaders from Magarini Sub County in Kilifi County have laid claim of ownership of the controversial 840 acre Shakahola fasting crime scene.

The leaders led by Mjikenda Kaya elders said that part of the land which is forested is a Kaya forest belonging to Magarini Kaya elders.

They condemned the Paul Makenzi fasting cult for leading to hundreds of death including that of children and women and now want the government to release the land to them for cleansing once the ongoing investigations are complete.

“That land is a Kaya forest and we are calling on the government to release it to us so that we can cleanse it when the investigative agencies are done with their investigations,” said Mr Simon Garama from Magarini.

Mr Tsuma Nzai said that the cleansing process will include a study on the name Shakahola and its meaning so that it can be changed, they will curse the place then cleanse it according to Mijikenda cleansing rights.

“Our role is to curse, cleanse and bless and we are doing a study of that name Shakahola because that name is what led to what has happened there. That name if not changed then more problems will arise from the place,” he said.

Mr Said Matojo from Kaya Bobo in Rabai said that the abandonment of indigenous African religious activities and the embracing of foreign religious activities was the cause of all problems bedeviling the nations.

“The government should deregister all foreign religious activities so that we revert to our African culture which ensured there was equity and fairness,” he said.

At the same time, The Malindi and Magarini Members of National Assembly, Amina Mnyazi and Harry Kombe have called on the government to harmonize administrative areas to conform to constituencies saying that the Shakahola crime scene is in Malindi Sub County but in Magarini Sub County.

Mr Kombe suggested that the boundaries should be reviewed so that Malindi Sub County should be Malindi constituency and Magarini Sub County will be Magarini constituency.

Ms Mnyazi said that it was sad that people were linking Shakahola with her yet the place is in Magarini constituency.

“I will accept all names but being referred to as the MP for Shakahola I will not accept because the crime scene is in another constituency,” she said.