Police Officers Find Mass Graves in Kisumu Raising Fears of Another Shakahola

A multi-agency team comprising officers from DCI the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) under  prosecution-guided investigation and Kisumu County Public Health officers today conducted a search operation at the Coptic Holy Ghost Church of Fr. John Juma Pesa in Kisumu.

This follows a court order that granted the investigating agency authorization to undertake the exercise after several complaints that people with mental challenges were being illegally held within the church premises and suspicion that some may have died and been irregularly buried on the church grounds.

During the operation, two (2) grave-like spots were discovered on the grounds behind the church, and three suspected sick victims were rescued and taken to the hospital for medical assessment and treatment.

According to a statement from DCI, the investigations are still ongoing.

Kisumu county government had earlier lost bid to close the church and have Father Pesa arrested. The Court had ruled that this would infringe on Constitutional right to worship.