Shakahola cult death toll rises to 211 as 84 rescued

Detectives exhuming bodies in the Shakahola Forest on Tuesday dug out ten more bodies from shallow graves spread across the expansive Chakama ranch in Kilifi. The discovery pushed the death toll to 211.

Three adults were also rescued but they are in critical condition. The rescue now brings the total number of those rescued to 84. 

At last 600 people believed to have been part of the cult are still reported missing although authorities are not sure whether they are buried within the expansive ranch belonging to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.

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Throughout this week authorities have been digging up shallow graves scattered through the ranch looking for remains and scouring the area for any survivors as hundreds of people are still reported missing.

Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Church is accused of ordering his followers to starve their children and themselves to death so they could go to heaven before the end of the world, which he predicted to be on April 15.

The taxi driver-turned-preacher was last week on Wednesday denied bail by a court in Mombasa that said that the Shakahola cult leader is facing a serious offence that is not bailable. Shanzu Principal Magistrate, Yusuf Shikanda ruled that Mackenzie’s safety and security may be at risk if released on bond now. 

Police had applied to have Pastor Mackenzie; the leader of the Shakahola cult, his wife and 16 others held for 30 days to allow them humble time to conclude investigations. Inspector Rapheal Wanjoi, the investigating officer in his application said the period of detention granted by a Malindi court was insufficient owing to the evolving nurture of the case and lines of inquiry being pursued.

He told the court that the identities of some of the suspects were unknown and that he needed more time to investigate them. He said over 103 bodies had been exhumed and the numbers kept rising. A DNA test was to be conducted and it was until the last body is recovered that the same will be done.

The magistrate concluded that the application was meritorious and proceeded to allow the police to hold all the suspects in various police stations as proposed by the state. He directed that all the suspects while in custody shall be treated in a humane manner and with respect to their inherent human dignity.