Disturbing revelations have emerged from the ongoing exhumation exercise in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi, shedding light on recent burials and the whereabouts of missing aides of the sect leader, Paul Mackenzie.
As the multi-agency team continues phase four of the operation, several bodies have been uncovered, some of which appear to have been recently buried.
Close sources involved in the exhumation exercise revealed that the graves were shallow, with loose clumps of earth on top and ashes around the edges, suggesting recent activity.
"The bodies may have been buried a month ago when the team took a two-week break before resuming last week," one source stated.
This development raises concerns about the possibility of ongoing burials in the forest, three months after the initial investigation began.
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Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha reported that the number of rescues and arrests remained unchanged from the previous month, standing at 95 and 37, respectively.
Additionally, the death toll has risen to 425 after six more bodies were exhumed on Wednesday, prompting a temporary suspension of exhumations for autopsies on the 87 bodies uncovered in phase four.
A confidential source involved in the exhumation disclosed, "Of the 16 bodies we exhumed from the forest on Tuesday, some were still fresh, the clothes used to cover them were still intact, and most were adults."
These findings have intensified speculations about the identity of those still conducting burials in the forest.
The bodies were discovered in the Kwa Mugambi area, the same location where homicide detectives previously exhumed more than 20 bodies at the start of the operation in April.
The recent discovery of 16 bodies from nine graves in this area suggests that it might hold crucial information about the cult leader's missing aides.
An investigator privy to the case confirmed that authorities believe more of Paul Mackenzie's associates may be hiding in the forest.
"We are tracking them, suspecting that they went into hiding during the search and rescue operation. On Monday, they sent a warning message through the herders, urging us to stop the operation," the detective disclosed, hinting at the possibility of an organized effort to evade capture.
As the authorities continue their search, they have covered around three-quarters of the 50,000-hectare Chakama ranch.
Insiders have noted a decrease in the number of graves, but concerns persist regarding the existence of additional burial sites and the potential involvement of other accomplices.
The ongoing exhumation and investigation have cast a spotlight on the cult leader Paul Mackenzie and the potential danger posed by his missing aides.
As the multi-agency team presses forward, the public remains anxious for answers and justice for the victims, hoping that the efforts will ultimately lead to the apprehension of those responsible for the atrocities in Shakahola Forest.
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