Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, May 9, increased the number of media representatives getting daily access to Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County to two from the original one.
In a press briefing inside the forest, Kindiki affirmed that the move would allow for all aspects of the investigations to be covered.
The CS also allowed a representative of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) as well as another from the Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation.
In addition, the Kenya red cross team would be permanently stationed during the exhumation exercise for humanitarian support.
Clarifying why he had initially limited access, Kindiki noted that the restriction would allow the detectives to effectively conduct the exhumation process without interference.
He added that nonrestrictive access would pose legal and security consequences to the media houses involved and the government.
"All of us can't go there because if we did we cannot control what we're doing and we might end up with images that give rise to legal consequences not only for the media houses but for the government.
"The process of exhumation is a legal, medical and security operation not just any other activity. Therefore, we must protect the dignity of the families. We have to do it in a manner that nobody sues the agencies for violation of fundamental rights, that's why we're limiting the access, especially the exhumation sites," he noted.
Further, the CS warned politicians to keep off the area and to conduct their businesses elsewhere.
“If they want to do politics there are other places where they can hold their rallies and speak their politics. We have instructed officers here led by Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha not to give access to anyone unless they have a role to demonstrate.”
"The entire Chakama ranch is an active security operation area. It is also a scene of crime. For that reason, we limited the movement of unauthorised persons. Any movements, assemblies or meeting between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am will be treated as an act of crime," he reiterated.
Kindiki, on April 26, 2023, imposed a 30-day curfew that would last from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. Further, he banned public gatherings, processions, or movements by groups during that period.
