Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki announced that autopsies will be performed on the 123 recently exhumed bodies from Shakahola forest next week.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the CS explained that the exhumation process, currently underway at the mass graves site, has been temporarily paused to facilitate the upcoming autopsies.

“Only the search for graves and exhumation of the victims of the Shakahola Massacre has been suspended to allow for logistical arrangements for the post-mortem examination of the additional 123 bodies recovered in Phase 2 of the exhumation exercise,” he said.

ALSO READ:

• Rev. Charles Kituku Muthusi buried in Machakos County.
• Shakahola Cult: One Person Rescued, Another Arrested As 613 Still Missing

“Phase 2 post-mortems will commence on Wednesday 24th May 2023 at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital.”

“The search for and rescue of survivors within Shakahola forest and the Chakama Ranch generally will continue uninterrupted and will be extended into the edges of the neighbouring Tsavo East National Park in the coming days using ground and drone search,” CS Kithure said.

“Grave search and exhumation shall resume on conclusion of the Phase 2 postmortem exercise.”

On Friday, another individual was successfully rescued in the Shakahola forest, raising the total number of rescued individuals to 90.

The government has temporarily halted the exhumation process to prepare for the upcoming postmortem examinations.

The decision follows the discovery of eight additional bodies, bringing the total death toll from the tragedy to 235.