Ruto Defies Raila, Makes More Appointments To Shakahola Inquiry Team

They will assist the 13-member team during the Shakahola probe and will work in tandem with Lady Justice Jessie W. Lesiit, who is chairing the commission.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
May 12, 2023 - 14:20 Updated: May 12, 2023 - 14:21
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Ruto Defies Raila, Makes More Appointments To Shakahola Inquiry Team
Side by side image of President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. /FILE

President William Ruto on Friday, May 12 appointed two more commissioners to strengthen the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Shakahola massacre which has seen the total number of bodies exhumed reaching 150.

In a gazette notice issued and signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the Head of State appointed Abdullatif Essajee Khaderbhai and Hassan Ahmednur Baricha as commissioners.

They will assist the 13-member team during the Shakahola probe and will work in tandem with Lady Justice Jessie W. Lesiit, who is chairing the commission.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces has appointed— Abdullatif Essajee Khaderbhai, Hassan Ahmednur Baricha, as Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry into the Shakahola Tragedy established vide Gazette Notice No. 5660 of 2023,” the gazette notice read.

Side-by-side image of Pastor Paul Mackenzie and bodies retrieved from Shakahola forest in Kilifi County. /VIRALTEAKE

Ruto made reinforcements to the inquiry team despite encountering resistance from a section of high-profile politicians, including Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga.

Through his Lawyer Paul Mwangi, the ODM leader moved to court to block the actions of the Shakahola Tragedy Commission of Inquiry team, accusing the President of usurping powers vested in Parliament in naming the members of the commission.

“We reiterate that only the Judicial Service Commission is empowered by the constitution to recruit qualified persons to serve in tribunals. The president has no powers to make any determination of the constitution of a court or an independent tribunal nor who sits in judgment in court or independent tribunal,” read part of the court documents filed by lawyer Paul Mwangi.

Ruto was also pressured by a section of religious leaders on the same but nonetheless appointed four more members to the task force which will investigate the deaths, torture, and inhumane and degrading treatment of members and other persons linked to the Good News International Church in Kilifi County.

Mohammad Dori, Abdisalam Sheikh Mohamed, Sujurtha Kotamraju and Bishop Amos Lewa were among the new members appointed through the Gazette notice.

The four were appointed to work under former Member of Parliament for Mbeere South Constituency, Reverend Mutava Musyimi.

Other roles of the Commission of Inquiry include establishing the circumstances under which these incidents occurred and identifying the persons and organizations who bear the greatest responsibility for the Shakahola tragedy.

The commission will also recommend specific actions that should be taken against them, including admonition, regulatory actions, reparations, or recommendations for criminal investigation.

In addition, the commission will inquire into the legal, institutional, administrative, security, and intelligence lapses that may have contributed to the occurrence of the Shakahola tragedy.

It will recommend legal, administrative, or other forms of accountability action against any public official whose actions or omissions are established to have willfully or negligently contributed to the occurrence of the tragedy.

The commission will also inquire into the factors that lead to the rise of that particular religious extremist institution, as well as the factors that give rise to such religious extremist institutions, cults, occultist groups, and other formations that foster negative religion-based activities generally.

Lady Justice Jessie Lessit. /FILE

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