Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have disclosed that the death toll from the Shakahola massacre has risen to 436 after 7 more bodies were discovered in the forest.
This was during the start of the fifth phase of exhumation in Shakahola.
On Monday, June 3, the homicide detectives uncovered seven additional bodies, bringing the total death toll to 436.
Reports show that the detectives discovered three graves in the same parts of the forest. The deaths are linked to Pastor Mackenzie, who is accused of misleading his church followers to fast to death in Shakahola, Kilifi County.
Johansen Oduor, the government pathologist, mentioned that one grave contained four bodies, and the remaining three graves each had one body.
“One grave had four bodies, while the three others had one body each, which makes a total of seven bodies exhumed today. As per what I know, we have about 50 graves identified which we are going to work on until we finish up,” he said.
Oduor added that around 50 additional graves have been recognized in the forest one being Mackenzie’s daughter grave next to his homestead.
“The loose soil helps us to identify the graves, and as you’ve been here today, you’ve noticed that any place where we suspect by using those criteria, we’ve been finding bodies inside,” said Oduor.
The deceased are said to be followers of the cult leader Paul Mackenzie, who is currently facing various accusations in Mombasa and Malindi Law Courts.
Mackenzie is facing several charges such as terrorism, murder and manslaughter in connection to the Shakahola massacre.
Mackenzie, his wife and 93 other suspects are currently detained at Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa regarding the deaths of the individuals in Shakahola due to self-inflicted starvation.
Oduor said that the discovery process will persist as the government endeavor to identify the bodies using DNA techniques.
He anticipates that the bodies under analysis at the Malindi hospital morgue will be processed and handed over to family members next month.
