Exhumation of bodies resumes in Shakahola after two-day break

The team conducting the exhumation of bodies believed to be of the followers of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie have resumed the exercise after two days break.

The exhumation being conducted by a team of Detectives from the Homicide unit, DCI, Pathologists and Government chemists among others seeks to ensure all those who were buried in the forest are exhumed.

So far, the number of bodies exhumed has reached 274 as detectives continue with the process in the 840-acre Shakahola land.

On Friday, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said the search to rescue followers escaping from the security personnel was still ongoing.

Already the KDF have begun opening access roads within the forest so as to help in the operation as some areas are not accessible.

Onyancha said 35 people were arrested since the operation began over two months ago while 95 people were rescued from the forest.

The regional Commissioner expressed fears that the exercise was waning due to the reduced number of exhumations and no more arrests.

However, she said there was still more work to be done.

During the launch of the third phase of exhumation in Shakahola, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the land will be subdivided into blocks of 100 acres to enable the operation to be carried out properly.

"Decision was taken to open security roads within Chakama ranch to create roads and Compartments so that after every 100 acres they are able to conduct thorough search," Kindiki said.

He said investigative teams have assured them they have a strong case to have the main suspects and his collaborators charged with serious crimes including genocide.

"We will hold the suspect as we continue with the exhumation in Shakahola forest," he said.

Currently, Kindiki said 19 of 95 rescued followers of Mackenzie have been reunited with their families.

He said they collected 93 DNA samples and asked families looking for their missing relatives to be patient.

"We assure the people of Kenya, that the government has a case its just a matter of time before Mackenzie and his collaborators face us in court. This is a case like no other... It must be won," he said.