Eight children’s bodies have been exhumed in cult leader Paul Mackenzie’s homestead, bringing the total death toll from the Shakahola massacre to 98.
The investigation into the disturbing cult in Shakahola, Kilifi County, whose members died of starvation, has entered its seventh day, with government pathologists scheduled to begin post-mortem examinations on Thursday.
Pastor Mackenzie of the Good News International Church is said to have instructed members to starve themselves in order to “meet Jesus.”
Detectives and pathologists are still combing the Shakahola forest for more shallow graves and any of Nthenge’s followers who may be hiding.
Meanwhile, people from all over the country continue to gather in the area in search of information on loved ones suspected of being members of the deadly cult.
On Wednesday, sources close to the investigation said there were over 300 people still missing, with the majority of the dead being children.
In the aftermath of the operation, Chakama Ranch, where Shakahola Forest is located, has been cordoned off and a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed. The government also barred the media from entering the area on Wednesday.
Since then, fourteen members of the cult have been apprehended by police.
Mackenzie was arrested last month after two children died of starvation while in the care of their parents, and he is still being held by police.
