Inside the Malindi Village Quietly Turned into a Cult Holding Site

Police have identified rental homes in Kaoyeni village, Kilifi County, as operational sites used to hold victims of a cult that led to mass starvation deaths in Kwa Bi Nzaro forest, echoing the 2023 Shakahola tragedy.

Investigators say Kaoyeni, located less than a kilometre from the Malindi–Salagate road, played a key logistical role in the activities of a religious network tied to the Good News International Church. According to authorities, the village served as a transit point where victims were held and subjected to initial periods of isolation and fasting before being moved to forested areas where they later died.

At the centre of the operation is Sharlyne Anindo Temba, a woman alleged to have rented multiple rooms across the village under false pretences. In April, she approached local landlord Herbert Ngala, claiming she was seeking accommodation for a relative. 

After paying cash, she moved in with two individuals later identified as Jairus Otieno Odek and Lilian Akinyi, both former members of the Shakahola-linked cult. Witness accounts and police reports describe a series of short-term tenants introduced by Ms Temba. 

They appeared quiet, deeply religious, and physically weak. Neighbours reported that they never saw the occupants cook or prepare food, and in some cases, food was purchased from nearby shops instead of being made in the rented units. Over time, residents observed signs of poor health, including severe weight loss.

Landlords in the area said Ms Temba paid rent exclusively in cash, used multiple names, and avoided digital transactions. Some tenants provided false identification, and when they left, they often did so without warning, leaving rooms locked or abandoned. 

By July, local concerns had reached police, leading to a coordinated operation that revealed the scale of the cult's presence. Two separate rental compounds were identified as locations used to isolate and indoctrinate followers. Investigators believe that once the individuals had been sufficiently weakened through fasting, they were transported approximately 60 kilometres away to a remote five-acre property in Kwa Bi Nzaro forest. 

There, further fasting took place, leading to multiple deaths. Ms Temba is now in custody alongside three co-accused: Kahindi Kazungu Garama, Thomas Mukonwe, and James Kazungu. All four are said to be survivors of the original Shakahola cult and are accused of rebuilding its operations in Kilifi County. 

Authorities allege the group recruited new victims, managed transportation logistics, and directed a revival of radical teachings that resulted in multiple deaths. At Kwa Bi Nzaro, police have so far recovered 34 bodies and over 100 human remains. Documents linked to the suspects include identity cards, SIM cards, and land ownership papers. 

A bloodstained tool believed to have been used in burials was also recovered.

Local landlords and residents have expressed shock at the revelations. Many said they had no reason to suspect criminal activity, as the tenants kept to themselves and caused no disturbances. 

However, some neighbours had reported concerns about their physical condition and lack of food preparation. Authorities describe Kaoyeni as a key hub in the cult’s renewed activities, a rural community exploited for its seclusion and rapid development. 

Investigations are ongoing, and prosecutors are seeking more time to gather evidence and prepare charges against the accused.