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Shakahola cult: Moment of truth as post-mortems on 110 exhumed bodies start

 

Post-mortems are set to begin Monday on the 110 bodies that detectives exhumed from an 800-acre piece of land in Shakahola village, Kilifi County, that is linked to cult leader Paul Mackenzie. 

Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor will lead the process that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is expected to witness. He will work with a team of about 12 pathologists, four forensic experts and officers from the Government Chemist.

The postmortems, taking place at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital, form a key part of investigations into Mr Mackenzie, who is accused of convincing his followers to strave themselves to death in order to see God. 

shakahola postmortems

Preparations underway on May 1, 2023, ahead of postmortems on the 110 bodies that detectives dug out of mass graves in Shakahola village, kilifi County, in the probe into cult leader Paul Mackenzie. 

Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group

The exhumations have been suspended due to heavy rains in the area.

Meanwhile, as search andrescue operations continue, at least 46 people have been gound alive in Shakahola forest but some of them told medics they did not want help so as to recover.

So far, 23 arrests have been made in relation to the cult activities. 

Mr Mackenzie is being investigated alongside pastor Ezekiel Odero, who has been linked to serious crimes including, but not limited to, murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering and for being accessories before or after the fact.

shakahola post mortens, kithure kindiki, johansen oduor

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki (C) addresses the press at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital on May 1, 2023, where postmortems are taking place on the 110 bodies dug out of mass graves in Shakahola village, Kilifi County. Next to him (R) is Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor.

Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group

Meanwhile, as police and the public step up vigilance over cults across the country, a woman has been arrested in Nakuru County after 31 people were found holed up in her house for fellowship, fasting and prayer.

The suspect identified as Hellen Wanjiru Weri was arrested in a Saturday raid, following a report from a 66-year-old resident of Moi's Bridge in Uasin Gishu County, who said her daughter had been misled into giving up everything and going to the said woman's house with her husband.    BY DAILY NTION    

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