Inside Kwa Bi Nzaro: From Faith to Fatal Starvation

At least 34 bodies and over 100 human remains have been recovered from a remote compound in Kilifi County, where authorities allege a religious sect led by Sharlyne Anindo Temba carried out fatal starvation rituals under the guise of spiritual cleansing.

Just five kilometres from Kwa Bi Nzaro, investigators uncovered the compound on Chakama Ranch, a secluded area near Shakahola Forest. The site is believed to have been the base of a cult that recruited followers from across Kenya and subjected them to extreme fasting as part of its practices. 

The case has drawn comparisons to the 2023 Shakahola tragedy, where similar abuses were reported. The compound consisted of five basic mud-walled structures, each assigned a specific function within what investigators describe as an organised and hierarchical system. 

One building, referred to as the “holding bay,” was divided into three rooms that marked different stages of physical deterioration. Newcomers were initially denied food and water for up to 12 days. Those who survived were given minimal sustenance and assigned roles supervising others. 

A second room housed severely malnourished individuals, while a third, lined with black plastic sheets, served as a death chamber. Bodies were wrapped and stored there before burial. Another hut functioned as a makeshift mortuary, with ash on the floor used to mask the smell of decomposition.

A group of armed enforcers maintained strict control over the compound. Equipped with pangas and stationed in guarded quarters, they prevented escape attempts and ensured that bodies were buried in secrecy. Investigators say this enforcement system relied on both physical intimidation and psychological control to maintain order.

The group’s operations came to light in July after one follower escaped and alerted police. A search of the site led to the discovery of multiple shallow graves, some marked with white ribbons. The small size of several graves confirmed that children were among the victims. In one instance, the body of a woman was found buried with her child at her feet. 

In another, scavengers had disturbed a grave, leaving remains exposed and scattered. The surrounding terrain, known for its wildlife, added further risk. Elephant and hyena tracks were found throughout the area, increasing the likelihood that remains were interfered with before discovery. 

Investigators used coded markers, blue cards with identifiers such as B6 and B11, to record the locations of exhumed remains. At Malindi Mortuary, staff have reported receiving dismembered body parts and skeletal remains, reflecting the severity of the conditions at the site. 

Authorities say the group’s ability to operate for an extended period without detection highlights significant gaps in community oversight and regulation. The ongoing investigation aims to determine how the sect acquired land, built its network, and persuaded followers to submit to life-threatening practices.