The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a manhunt for suspects who are believed to be burying new bodies in Shakahola Forest.
A source at the DCI who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on the condition of anonymity stated that the agency had received information from officers carrying out the exhumation that fresh bodies had been discovered in the forest.
The Directorate reviewed the evidence and immediately dispatched a team of highly trained and specialised investigators to take over the matter.
Police reports showed that the officers found shallow graves with fresh bodies in the forest, which were exhumed and preserved for further investigations by government agencies.
The bodies were found in a non-decomposed state, and the cause of death remained unclear at the initial stage of the investigation. Nevertheless, the DCI stated that they were likely not the remains of followers of Paul Mackenzie's cult.
"The graves were shallow and had loose clumps of earth on top and ashes around the edges, some appeared to have been freshly dug," the source revealed.
As a result, the DCI is now appealing to the public for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. They also asked anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in Shakahola Forest to come forward.
"The DCI is committed to bringing the suspects to justice and protecting the public from harm. We are asking for your help to make sure that this happens," the source stated.
As part of diligence, the officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have also renewed scrutiny of Paul Mackenzie's cult, which has been accused of brainwashing his followers and forcing them to starve themselves to death and live in squalor.
"From an investigations point of view, the discovery of the new bodies has raised concerns about the safety of people who are living around the area.
"We also warn of the possibility that Mackenzie's cult activities are still active and that they are a danger to the public," the source from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations noted.
Shakahola cult death toll hit 403 after 12 more bodies were exhumed on Monday, July 17, from the land linked to pastor Paul Mackenzie.
Coast Regional Commissioner, Rhoda Onyancha, officially confirmed the collection of 257 DNA samples to aid in the investigation, while the total number of rescues stands at 95.
