Shakahola death toll hits 446, exhumation pushed to next week

The death toll from Shakahola massacre has hit 446. The victims believed to be followers of cult leader Paul Mackenzie starved to death to go to heaven.

The exercise which has been pushed to Tuesday is in its fifth phase.

The numbers went up after three more bodies were exhumed on day two of the exercise yesterday (Wednesday). On the first day, DCI officers recovered seven more bodies.

Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor said approximately 50 other graves have been identified in the forest.

Only 32 bodies have so far been released to families while the rest which are preserved inside two mobile mortuaries outside Malindi Sub County Hospital are unclaimed amid protests by Kilifi governor over the high cost of electricity.

Mackenzie, his wife and 93 other suspects are being held at Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa in connection with the deaths.