State hiding information on Shakahola cult probe – Raila

"If you are exhuming dead bodies, what is there to hide?"

In Summary

• "I decided to visit Shakahola forest on behalf of Kenyans to know what happened and when I arrived there, police denied me entry saying investigations are ongoing."

• Raila condemned the mass killings in Shakahola saying it is satanic.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga speaking in Kiharu, Murang'a County during the funeral service of Governor Mwangi wa Iria's mother-in-law, Mary Nyambura on Friday, May 12, 2023.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga speaking in Kiharu, Murang'a County during the funeral service of Governor Mwangi wa Iria's mother-in-law, Mary Nyambura on Friday, May 12, 2023.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/TWITTER

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has reiterated his earlier claims that the government is not being truthful about the ongoing probe on the Shakahola cult.

The Opposition boss said the government does not want Kenyans to know the entire truth about the cultic practices at the Good News International Church which led to the deaths of over 170 people. 

"I decided to visit Shakahola forest on behalf of Kenyans to know what happened and when I arrived there, police denied me entry saying investigations are ongoing," he said.

"Even the Media was denied to cover the exhumation. If you are exhuming dead bodies, what is there to hide? Let Kenyans  have access there to know what is happening and what is being hidden there."

Raila condemned the mass killings in Shakahola saying it is satanic.

The Opposition boss spoke on Friday in Kiharu in Murang'a County during the burial service of Governor Mwangi wa Iria's mother-in-law, Mary Nyambura.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church is accused of brainwashing his followers to starve to death in the belief that they will meet Jesus. 

The court on Wednesday remanded him in custody for 30 more days as investigations continue. 

Mackenzie was detained  alongside his wife Rhoda Maweu and 16 other suspects.

They were denied bond over the ongoing investigations and suspects' safety and security.

On Friday, detectives exhumed 29 more bodies from the 800-acre  Shakahola forest where Mackenzie's followers are believed to have been buried.

The bodies were exhumed from 12 graves within the Shakahola Forest.

Coast Regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha confirmed that so far the death toll has reached 179.

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