Kenya: new mass graves discovered in Shakahola
"We will not halt search and rescue, even for a moment, until we are satisfied we have exhausted search and rescue - if necessary we will step it up, make it more systematic."
On Thursday, Home Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced the new record of Shakahola's deadly fast. It now stands at 241 victims, pushed to fast until death to meet Jesus according to the precepts of the controversial Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, founder of the Good News International Church.
A balance sheet far from being definitive whereas the experts on the spot discovered new mass graves. The excavations are, however, put on hold for logistical reasons during the autopsy of the bodies of 129 exhumed victims.
"Unfortunately, we have evidence that there are more graves in Shakahola Forest, so the suspension is intended to allow for this post-mortem exercise of the 129 bodies to ensure that we are able to free the morgue from this hospital," says Kindiki.
Found in Shakaola Forest, a victim of Mackenzie's teachings was taken to a hospital. But, persistently refusing to eat, she died on the spot.
In County Kilifi, where Shakahola Forest is located, the curfew is maintained by the government.
"We will not halt search and rescue, even for a moment, until we are satisfied we have exhausted search and rescue - if necessary we will step it up, make it more systematic," says Kithure. Kindiki.
The search and rescue mission is to be extended to nearby areas of Tsavo and Galana Kulalu where victims may be on the run.
MC
