The third phase of the exhumation exercise of the infamous Shakahola Forest mass murder will resume tomorrow after twenty-two more suspected mass graves were discovered, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said.
“We have lost many people and exhumed 242 bodies so far, of people who were starved to death, hit with blunt and sharp objects or strangled.” The CS said.
The CS was speaking during a church service at Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) church in Sagana, in Ndia constituency today.
He noted that homicide detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations combing the 800-acre piece of land have discovered what is believed to be shallow mass graves and have since been cordoned off as scenes of crime.
Kindiki also warned rogue preachers, saying they will face the law.
“We will never see something like that. Just the way we handle criminals hiding under Islam, we will equally deal with those hiding under Christianity. So that they do not stain the church.” He added.
The CS spoke during a church service at the Kenya Assemblies of God in Sagana, Kirinyaga.
So far, 91 people including one who died in hospital have been rescued and 19 victims have already been reunited with their families.
A total of 93 DNA samples have been collected and 34 persons linked to the incident have been apprehended, including the cult leader Paul Mackenzie.
He said that the government will also go after those hiding in other religions.
“All the crooks and criminals who are hiding in the church of Jesus Christ those who are hiding in other religions your time is up we will smoke you out.” Kindiki said.
According to court documents filed in Shanzu Law Courts by DCI officers against the prime suspect in the bizarre kilings Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, the accused who is in police custody hailed his dying followers from as heroes, the Shanzu court has revealed.
In the court documents tabled before Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda by the lead investigator of the Shakahola massacre Raphael Wanjohi, Mackenzie is said to have conducted burial ceremonies referred to as weddings for those that died while fasting.
He also praised the departed as unsung shujaas (heroes) and implored the rest to keep fasting.
“Mackenzie presided over the burials, which he referred to as harusi (wedding) and the deceased were referred to as shujaas. These facts go to the strengths of evidence against Mackenzie and his accomplices.” The documents filed in court read in parts.
Wanjohi in the documents further described that some of the survivors have exhibited behavioural changes such as refusing to eat and shaving off their hair.
