Some of the exhumed bodies of victims of the religious cult are laid out in the village of Shakahola, near the coastal city of Malindi, Kenya on April 23, 2023 | PHOTO-AP
By Gerald Mutethia
The death toll from the pastor Paul Mackenzie-led Shakahola cult has risen to more than 90 as detectives and homicide officers continued with exhumation exercises.
Mackenzie has been brainwashing his Good News International Church followers into fasting to death with the belief of ascending to heaven
The bodies were exhumed from shallow graves where they are believed to have been buried after their death at his 800-acre piece of land in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.
The Kenya Red Cross Society said some 213 people, most of whom are aged below 18 are missing.
Kenya Red Cross Society coast regional coordinator Hassan Musa said they are still receiving more relatives of family members who are looking for their loved ones.
Thirty-two people have so far been rescued alive at the horrific forest and mass grave.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki toured the area and termed the deaths an act of genocide and declared the area a crime scene.
Kindiki who was accompanied by other national government officials and county government officials led by Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule said controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie deserves to rot in jail.
He said as of Wednesday, the exhumation will be done by a multi-agency team led by security personnel and humanitarian organizations.
