Shakahola Massacre: Death Toll Climbs to 179 as 29 Additional Bodies Unearthed
At least 29 additional bodies were recovered from a total of 12 graves on Friday during the exhumation operation that is still taking place at the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.
According to Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, who provides daily updates to the press, the number of people who have died as a result of the starvation cult led by Pastor Paul Mackenzie has now reached 179.
Ms. Onyancha also stated that the operation did not result in the arrest or rescue of any additional individuals, which means that the respective tallies remain at 25 and 72.
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She did however add that 15 additional people had also been reported missing, bringing the total number up to 609.
This comes as Mackenzie and 17 other co-accused persons, including his wife, were detained for an additional 30 days on Wednesday to await the conclusion of the investigation into the Shakahola cult.
The decision was made by Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda, who stated that releasing the suspects would put not only the suspects’ safety but also the investigation at risk.
In addition, the Registrar of Societies has sent cancellation notices to Mackenzie’s Good News International Church and pastor Ezekiel Odero’s New Life Prayer Centre and Church for their respective non-compliance. Both of these churches are part of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church.
Shakahola Massacre: Death Toll Climbs to 179 as 29 Additional Bodies Unearthed
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