Carolyne Odour has told the BBC she desperately fears for the fate of her two young sons who went missing two months ago with their father—a follower of the teachings of a notorious starvation cult leader. Ms Odour says that amid an ongoing investigation into more deaths linked to the cult, she has identified her husband's body at a mortuary in the coastal town of Malindi. His corpse was discovered in July in the village of Kwa Binzaro, inland from Malindi and near the remote Shakahola Forest, where over 400 bodies were found in 2023 in what has become one of the worst cult-related mass deaths in history.
Ms Odour is now awaiting the results of DNA tests carried out on over 30 recently unearthed bodies. She expressed devastation upon recognizing her husband, saying, I felt pain. I barely recognized him. His body was badly decomposing. After years of following the teachings of Paul Mackenzie, who is on trial for manslaughter over the so-called 'Shakahola Forest Massacre', Ms Odour's husband Samuel Owino Owoyo reportedly became heavily influenced by the cult's ideals, which he believed could lead his family to spiritual salvation.
The tragic situation unfolded when her husband traveled with their sons—12-year-old Daniel and 9-year-old Elijah—under the pretense of visiting his home village but instead heading towards the dangerous region associated with the cult. As she tracked their movements, Ms Odour's fears grew. After confirming her husband's death, the search continued for her sons, who remain unaccounted for as the community grapples with the aftermath of the cult's horrific practices.
Amid the pain of awaiting news and witnessing the exhumation of bodies, Ms Odour's hope dwindles. Every time I see a child in uniform, I feel pain; I don’t know how my sons are doing, she mournfully shared. As investigations proceed and calls for legislation against cults in Kenya grow louder, Ms Odour symbolizes the countless victims affected by extremist beliefs.
Ms Odour is now awaiting the results of DNA tests carried out on over 30 recently unearthed bodies. She expressed devastation upon recognizing her husband, saying, I felt pain. I barely recognized him. His body was badly decomposing. After years of following the teachings of Paul Mackenzie, who is on trial for manslaughter over the so-called 'Shakahola Forest Massacre', Ms Odour's husband Samuel Owino Owoyo reportedly became heavily influenced by the cult's ideals, which he believed could lead his family to spiritual salvation.
The tragic situation unfolded when her husband traveled with their sons—12-year-old Daniel and 9-year-old Elijah—under the pretense of visiting his home village but instead heading towards the dangerous region associated with the cult. As she tracked their movements, Ms Odour's fears grew. After confirming her husband's death, the search continued for her sons, who remain unaccounted for as the community grapples with the aftermath of the cult's horrific practices.
Amid the pain of awaiting news and witnessing the exhumation of bodies, Ms Odour's hope dwindles. Every time I see a child in uniform, I feel pain; I don’t know how my sons are doing, she mournfully shared. As investigations proceed and calls for legislation against cults in Kenya grow louder, Ms Odour symbolizes the countless victims affected by extremist beliefs.
