Human rights activists want the government to stop the fifth phase of exhuming bodies in Shakahola, Kilifi County, until all bodies that are being preserved at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary are released to families.

The bodies are suspected to be of victims who were followers of controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who allegedly introduced them to a marathon dry fasting ritual that was aimed to take them to meet Jesus Christ, and it took place at his alleged 500 acre farm in Shakahola area.

Mackenzie was arrested together with 93 of his allies and they are facing various criminal charges in various courts ranging from murder, terrorism, child torture and many others. Mackenzie and fellow suspects are currently in remand at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison in Mombasa County.

In the first four phases of exhumation, 429 bodies were recovered out of which 32 were released to their families for burial after their DNAs matched.

Mathias Shipeta of Haki Afrika said that it was inconsequential to continue with the exhumation exercise when bodies were still lying at the mortuary, yet DNA sample of victims’ families had been taken.

At least 600 DNA samples were taken from relatives of lost relatives believed to have died in Shakahola but only 32 had been correctly marched and released to families.

In the fifth exhumation exercise that started this week on Monday, 17 bodies have been exhumed pushing the total number of exhumed bodies to 446.

Shipeta added that the government ought to have requested assistance from advanced countries such as the United States of America and South Africa to handle the DNA issue and reduce congestion at the Malindi mortuary.

His sentiments were echoed by Victor Kaudo of Malindi Social Justice Center who claimed that families of the victims were suffering due to the slow nature of body identification.