Forensic team takes a break to prepare for postmortem as death toll hits 235

The homicide detective and forensic investigators have taken a five-day break to prepare for the second phase of postmortem which is expected to begin on Wednesday next week.

Speaking during her media daily briefings, Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said the team is expected to begin the postmortem on Wednesday at 8am at the Malindi sub county hospital morgue.

”The forensic team will take a break from tomorrow to prepare for the Post-Mortem of the 123 bodies exhumed in the second phase.” said Onyancha.

Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor is expected to oversee the process.

8 more bodies were exhumed on Thursday from the Shakahola farm taking the number of deaths from the cult to 235.

The Forensic team exhumed the bodies from three mass graves in Mackenzie’s homestead.

The ongoing operation seeks to unravel the mystery behind mass deaths that befell followers of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.

Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said three females and one male were rescued from the Shakahola forest.

She further added that one female adult from those rescued were in a critical condition.

“613 people have been reported missing by their relatives.” Said Onyancha

She further announced that the arrest however is still at 31.

Search and rescue operations continue.

Onyancha further said that DNA samples from 93 families have been collected with 14 people who have been rescued and reunited with their families.