Shakahola Massacre: Autopsies reveal that seven of the nine children whose bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola forest died due to starvation. Two other children died as a result of oxygen deprivation, according to Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor, who spoke to the media on Monday.
However, the cause of death for an adult whose body was also examined during the autopsies could not be determined, as the body had been buried for some time.
Despite ongoing investigations into a cult responsible for the deaths of at least 109 individuals, no victims were rescured from the Shakahola forest as of the close of the search operation on Monday, with the investigation now entering into a new week.
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The case involves Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge of the Good News International Church, who allegedly instructed his followers to starve themselves in order to “meet Jesus.”
Detectives and pathologists are still scouring the Shakahola forest for additional shallow graves and any of Nthenge’s followers who may be hiding.
Meanwhile, people from al over the country continue to congregate in the area, hoping to obtain information about their loved ones who are suspected of being part of the deadly cult.
Following the operation, the Chakama Ranch where the Shakahola Forest is located has been cordoned off and a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed.
The government also banned media access to the area last week.
Police have detained over ten members of the cult, as well as another controversial televangelist, Ezekiel Odero, who is being investigated for his ties to Pastor Nthenge.
Mackenzie was arrested last month after two children died of starvation while in their parents’ custody and is currently in police custody.
