Nairobi, Kenya – (African Boulevard News) – In a gruesome and barbaric attack on the small village of Shakahola, the death toll continues to rise as officials confirm that 226 lives have been lost. The attack, which occurred near the coastal town of Malindi in Kenya, has left the nation in mourning and disbelief.
According to police officials, most of the bodies discovered near the village are believed to be followers of the sect of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a former taxi driver and self-proclaimed “pastor” of his own church. The motive behind the heinous crime is yet to be established; however, it is believed to be religiously motivated.
Eyewitnesses report that heavily armed men stormed the village in the early hours of the morning when most residents were asleep. They were heard shouting religious slogans, and the attack lasted for hours, leaving the village in shambles. Houses were set on fire, and villagers were brutally killed with machetes and guns.
The Kenyan government has condemned the attack and deployed security forces to the region to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. President Uhuru Kenyatta, in a statement, called the attack an act of “senseless violence” and assured the nation that the government would do everything in its power to ensure that those responsible were held accountable.
The attack has sparked outrage and widespread condemnation from religious leaders, human rights activists, and the international community. The world watches in horror as Kenya grapples with yet another senseless attack on innocent civilians.
“A tragedy of this scale is a stark reminder that Kenya continues to suffer from religious extremism and violence,” said Ahmed Mohamed, a political analyst in Nairobi. “We need to address the root causes of such attacks and take measures to prevent them from happening in the future.”
The attack on Shakahola is the deadliest in Kenya since the 2015 Garissa University College attack, in which 147 people lost their lives. It is a grim reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism and religious extremism in the region.
As the nation picks up the pieces and mourns the loss of innocent lives, the Kenyan government must prioritize the safety and security of its people. It is imperative that measures are put in place to prevent such atrocities from happening again in the future.