Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, on Wednesday, April 26, declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew at the Chakama Ranch, which holds the 800-acre Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.
The CS indicated that the area was disturbed, adding that the curfew would enable the security officers to continue their exhumation and investigations.
He further noted that the curfew would last from 6 pm to 6 am for 30 days.
"The area (Shakahola) is an active security operation zone and no access to it by the public shall be permitted effective today, April 26, 2023, except as may be permitted by the operation Commander and/or until these orders are vacated.
"Curfew orders have also been declared and gazetted within the said area between 6 pm in the evening up to and until 6 am in the morning for a period of 30 days," the CS stated.
Additionally, the CS banned public gatherings, processions or movements by groups during that period.
“There shall be no public gatherings, processions or movement either alone or as a group during the period of curfew into and out of Chakama Ranch except as shall be permitted, in writing, by the Kilifi County Police Commander in consultation with the Operation Commander,” he added.
It was also explained that the restrictions would enable the police to expedite the ongoing process at the vast forest.
As of the time of publication, the police had recovered 90 bodies.
Police began their operation on April 24 at the forest following the arrest of Paul Mackenzie who is accused of running a cult in the forest.
Reports indicate that the pastor radicalised his followers to fast to death so as to meet Jesus.
The pastor is currently being held by the police as they interrogate him over the bodies in the Forest.
Following Mackenzie's arrest, Kindiki vowed to clamp down against religious radicalisation preferring genocide charges against the controversial pastor.
