Death toll from Shakahola hits 145

Eleven more bodies had been exhumed at Shakahola by last night raising the death toll from the massacre to 145.

This is as a court in Mombasa allowed an application by the police to have the Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie and his wife Rhoda Maweu detained for 30 days. Sixteen other people suspected of working in cahoots with the infamous pastor will also be held for the same period.

Shanzu Principal Magistrate, Yusuf Shikanda ruled that the respondents’ safety and security may be at risk if released on bond now. The court observed that the unfolding situation at Shakahola, where more than 133 bodies have been exhumed and several victims rescued cannot be ignored.

Police had applied to have Pastor Mackenzie, his wife and 16 others held for 30 days to allow them humble time to conclude investigations. Inspector Rapheal Wanjoi, the investigating officer in his application said the period of detention granted by a Malindi court was insufficient owing to the evolving nurture of the case and lines of inquiry being pursued.

He told the court that the identities of some of the suspects were unknown and that he needed more time to investigate them. He said over 103 bodies had been exhumed and the numbers kept rising. A DNA test was to be conducted and it was until the last body is recovered that the same will be done.

The magistrate concluded that the application was meritorious and proceeded to allow the police to hold all the suspects in various police stations as proposed by the state. He directed that all the suspects while in custody shall be treated in a humane manner and with respect to their inherent human dignity.

“During the time of detention, the respondents shall be granted reasonable access to their Advocates and family or any other person whose assistance will be necessary. The access will include the right to communicate privately with their Advocates,” Mr Shikanda ruled.

Interior and National Government Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has described the Shakahola massacre as a well-organised criminal enterprise and announced that the government is pursuing other people believed to have aided Pastor Paul Mackenzie to commit the crimes.

“We will be arresting and charging more second-tier and third tier suspects in the coming days. Some of them are not within this locality, but we have an idea where they are, and very soon, we will be making further pronouncements on other key arrests of individuals who are associated with this organised crime,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki said that there are many more graves within the Shakahola thickets, leading the government to conclude that what transpired there was a highly organised crime. He assured Kenyans that the government would do whatever it takes to unravel the organised criminal activity that has cost the country many lives.

The CS said that security officers have recorded hundreds of statements during the past few days from people of interest and those suspected to have information that can help unravel the truth.