The government has temporarily halted the exhumation of bodies in the Shakahola forest to allow for the commencement of the third round of autopsies.
The autopsies, which are set to take place at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital mortuary starting tomorrow, aim to alleviate the strain on the overcrowded morgue.
To date, a total of 336 bodies have been unearthed since the exhumation process began on April 21.
These bodies are believed to be followers of Pastor Paul Makenzi, who allegedly instructed his adherents to starve themselves to death as a means of meeting Jesus.
In a troubling development, investigators recently discovered 16 additional mass graves suspected to contain even more victims.
One anonymous detective involved in the case revealed, “We have about 16 mass graves, and the number of bodies is expected to increase.” The search for the truth continues as authorities work tirelessly to uncover the full extent of this tragedy.
Significant numbers of bodies have been recovered from the ‘Kwa Mugambi area,’ located approximately three kilometers from Pastor Makenzi’s residence.
Notably, one mass grave alone contained the remains of seven individuals, predominantly women and children. Makenzi purportedly justified the burial of children on his property by referencing Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come unto me.”
While the exhumation process temporarily pauses, pathologists and forensic experts are dedicating themselves to the vital task of matching DNA samples to the victims’ relatives. This painstaking process is crucial in accurately identifying the bodies and facilitating their release for proper burial.
Due to the lack of a DNA sequencing machine in Kilifi, the Government Chemist has transported the 93 collected DNA samples to Mombasa for analysis. There, medical procedures are being carried out to determine familial connections and aid in the identification of the victims.
