NAIROBI, Kenya — Authorities have temporarily halted exhumations at the Shakahola forest site in Kilifi County, where hundreds of bodies linked to a doomsday cult have been discovered since 2023.
The pause comes after forensic experts recovered 34 additional bodies and more than 100 body parts in the latest phase of the operation, prompting a shift to DNA analysis to aid in victim identification.
The site, tied to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Church, has drawn international attention since the first mass graves were unearthed.
Investigators say the cult encouraged followers to fast to death in pursuit of salvation, a practice that has left a devastating toll on families across Kenya.
Government officials confirmed that the multi-agency team leading the probe is now focused on matching DNA samples with missing persons reported nationwide.
“We must ensure every victim is properly identified and returned to their families,” said a senior police official in Kilifi. “This is not just about numbers; it is about dignity and justice for the deceased.”
Authorities have also raised fresh concerns about possible cult regrouping in the region. Eleven suspects have been arrested in recent weeks amid reports of secret gatherings attempting to revive the outlawed movement.
Interior Ministry officials have assured the public that surveillance and security operations remain in place to prevent further radicalization.
“We will not allow any resurgence of this destructive ideology,” Interior Cabinet Secretary, then, Kithure Kindiki told reporters. “Our duty is to protect vulnerable communities from exploitation and ensure accountability for those responsible.”
Since the first graves were discovered, more than 430 bodies have been exhumed, making it one of the deadliest cult-related tragedies in recent history.
Human rights groups have urged the government to accelerate victim support programs, citing delays in counseling services and slow compensation processes for bereaved families.
Analysts argue the tragedy underscores the urgent need for tighter regulation of religious organizations in Kenya. Parliament is currently debating proposed reforms to strengthen oversight of faith-based groups while balancing the constitutional right to religious freedom.
For now, investigators say the exhumations will resume once forensic testing concludes. Families of the missing continue to wait anxiously, many camped near the site for updates. As one grieving relative told local media: “We just want closure. We want to bury our loved ones with dignity.”
