Due to bad weather, the government stopped the exhumation of bodies at Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.
Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, made the announcement on Friday after touring the area where more than 100 bodies believed to be followers of controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie have been discovered.
“Experts have advised us that the procedure for performing exhumations for judicial and court processes requires a great deal of sensitivity.” “The ground must be dry to a certain level so that they can conduct the exhumations without interfering with the evidence or further damaging the bodies,” he explained.
“As a result, we have suspended the exhumations due to the weather, and we will resume as soon as it dries up a little bit.”
The Interior CS also explained why members of the press and human rights organizations were denied access to the grounds following the exhumation.
“The process of exhuming the bodies is a court-ordered process; it is done in accordance with certain ethical and professional standards, which is why we cannot allow everyone to participate in the exhumation or take photographs,” he explained.
“Such images are even prohibited by international law because they constitute heinous violations of human dignity.” Because these are the bodies of people’s loved ones and kin, there is a limit to what security agents can do.”
He went on to say that the state is also restricting the movement of law enforcement officers who have access to the grounds.
