Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has issued a stern ultimatum to the government regarding the handling of bodies exhumed from the Shakahola Forest.

The governor has threatened to relocate the containers housing the 429 bodies to the Kenyatta National Hospital if the government fails to take action within five days.

Speaking during an event in Dagamra, Magarini subcounty, where he was distributing food to flood victims, the governor raised concerns about the challenges faced by the county due to preservation of these bodies.

He noted that there was an unpleasant odor emanating from the mobile mortuary at the Malindi Subcounty Hospital which was proving to be nuisance to patients visiting the hospital.

“Those who have been visiting Malindi Subcounty Hospital must have realized there is a foul smell coming from the mobile mortuary. I have constructed nice wards in the hospital, but the foul smell comes from the containers preserving the Shakahola bodies,” he said.

“By Monday if the government will not have removed the bodies, doctors in the hospital should hire trucks and tow the containers to Kenyatta National Hospital and leave them there.” 

The financial strain caused by the bodies

Additionally, Mung’aro also mentioned the financial strain imposed on the county, revealing that Kilifi County has paid a substantial sum of Ksh36 million in electricity bills to maintain the bodies.

“I have paid power bills using money meant for Kilifi residents. From last year till now I have used a total of 36 million to pay bills for the Shakahola bodies.”

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Mung’aro emphasized that the responsibility for managing these bodies lies with the national government and did not fall within the county’s budget.

“I have paid money to support the activities in Shakahola. This is a national government function. I do not have a budget for that. How do I account for such money when the auditor general questions the expenditure,” he said. 

Appeal to the government

Despite efforts to seek assistance from the government, including reaching out to officials like Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki the governor expressed frustration at the lack of support.

Mung’aro asked Gender CS Aisha Jumwa and the Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who were also present, to deliver the message to Kindiki and President William Ruto.

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The governor’s call for urgent action reflects the pressing need for a resolution to this complex and sensitive issue that has strained both resources and public health concerns in the region.

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