The second phase of exhumation of suspected cult victims at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County resumed today as 21 more bodies were recovered from nine graves.
The total number of bodies recovered so far is now 133, with hundreds more believed to be buried in the area.
According to the area Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, 566 people, including suspected cult members, have been reported missing by their families.
Five individuals were however rescued, bringing the total to 68. DNA samples have been taken from 93 families, with 14 people reunited with their loved ones.
Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki vowed that the government will use all available resources to uncover the truth behind what he called the “Shakahola massacre,” one of the worst tragedies in Kenyan history.
Over 109 people are believed to have died, some from starvation and others from asphyxiation, after being convinced that they were meeting Jesus.
The search in the vast forest linked to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie is still ongoing, with security agencies using drones to aid in the operation.
Mackenzie and 17 other co-accused persons are in police custody, and the prosecution is seeking a further 90 days for investigations.
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