Families affected by the Shakahola mass deaths have called on the government to release bodies that have been detained in Malindi Hospital Morgue for over a year.
The bodies preserved at the mentioned hospital belong to victims of the controversial preacher Paul Mckenzie who allegedly led his followers in a fasting ritual. The followers were hoodwinked that the rituals intended to bring them to Jesus Christ.
The rising number of bodies exhumed from Shakahola in Kilifi has left the government with the problem of correct DNA identification of the victims. For over a year, the state has been facing the daunting task of identifying the victims and handing them over to their families, something that has occasioned the delay. The government pathologist had sought to get an additional KSh 100 million in funding for forensic services on the ongoing probe of the Shakahola cult deaths.
Appearing before the National Assembly, the government’s chief pathologist, Johansen Oduor, noted the government had already allocated Ksh 30 million for operation costs to expedite the exhumation process.
“We are not requesting funds for allowances only, we are required to buy supplies of formalin and body bags which are required after exhumation exercise,” he said.
The state had initially admitted challenges related to matching the DNA considering the state of decomposition of the bodies.
Earlier this week, Oduor noted some of the challenges related to preserving the bodies that are exhumed on a rolling basis in the fifth phase.
Oduor blamed families for failing to come out and take part in the identification process to see through an easy and efficient process of releasing the detained bodies.
“We are asking more people who suspect their relatives might have disappeared from Shakahola to come out for DNA tests. The state has acquired adequate reagents to accelerate the identification exercise,” he said.
Human rights activists have urged the government to halt phase five of the exhumation pending the release of the detained bodies.
Paul Mckenzie, leader of the cult was in January charged with terrorism. He was arraigned with other 94 co-accused who were also his staunch followers. They all denied charges against them. Among these charges were: inciting followers to starve to death, child cruelty, and torture.
