Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Sunday May 7, urged politicians to keep off Shakahola forest.
Speaking after attending a Church service at Chaaria Catholic Church in Meru County, Kindiki explained that all politicians should keep off Shakahola forest since it’s a security operation zone.
He emphasized that what was going on in Shakahola forest was a security operation that should not be politicized.
At the same time the Interior CS confirmed that the exercise of exhuming bodies in the forest will resume next week on Tuesday May, 9.
Kindiki dispelled rumours of a possible war between the government and the church, adding that the state was pursuing religious leaders who were using the holy book to exploit innocent Kenyans.
“The government recognizes and respects freedom of worship as enshrined in the constitution but the constitution does not allow people to misuse religion and engage in criminal activities,” Kindiki stated.
He also confirmed that experts revealed there were more graves in Shakahola forest.
Kindiki’s remarks came barely two after Azimio leader Raila Odinga was denied entry at Shakahola forest.
Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga, on Friday, May 5, was denied entry at Shakahola forest, where more than 110 bodies were exhumed.
Raila arrived in Kilifi County to visit the mass graves linked to pastor Paul Mackenzie.
Senior police officers who barred the Azimio leader explained that Shakahola forest was a crime scene and he was not authorized to enter.
"We received a directive from the Inspector General of the Police, Japhet Koome, not to allow anyone to the scene of a crime where the bodies were buried,” a senior police officer explained to Raila.
Kindiki, on April 26, declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew at the Chakama Ranch, which holds the 800-acre Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.
While issuing the directive, Kindiki indicated that the area was disturbed and the curfew would enable the security officers to continue with exhumation and investigations without interference.
When he visited Shakahola April 28, the Interior CS announced a massive reshuffle of police bosses in Kilifi County.
The CS stated that the changes would enable the government to conduct thorough investigations into the mass graves at Shakahola Forest.
"The government has decided that effective today, we will transfer all station, division, sub-county, county heads and commanders of all agencies within Kilifi County effective today,” Kindiki stated.
He added that the transferred police bosses in Kilifi would be replaced by their colleagues from other counties.
