The death toll from the fiction-like mass massacre at the Shakahola Forest killing fields rose to 284 after ten more bodies were exhumed today.
Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said a total of 95 people have been rescued from their hideouts after being religiously indoctrinated to starve to death by the prime mass murder suspect, controversial priest Paul Nthenge Mackenzie who is in police custody.
“Those who have been reunited with their families are 19.” Onyancha said.
She added that 613 people are still missing and exhumations are expected to continue tomorrow.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced government plans to open security roads in every 100 acres of the Chakama Ranch as part of a comprehensive effort to aid in the systematic and scientific search and rescue operations of the victims of the Shakahola starvation cult as well as identification of graves.
He spoke during his visit to the Shakahola Forest, where he oversaw the third phase of the exhumation exercise last week.
Kindiki said that investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that controversial televangelist Paul Mackenzie may have extended his criminal activities beyond 800 acres.
“We are concentrating on more than 37,000 acres, and that is why in every 100 acres, there will be a security road to facilitate thorough, methodical, and scientific investigation and evidence gatherings gathering.” Kindiki said.
