More than two years after the first discovery of over 400 bodies tied to a doomsday cult in Shakahola Forest, investigators in Kenya have uncovered new graves in Kwa Binzaro, a village in Kilifi County.
The search team exhumed five more bodies and found ten scattered human body parts in surrounding thickets, deepening the scale of the tragedy.
Pathologist Richard Njoroge confirmed that the ongoing operation had identified 27 suspected graves, with six already opened.
Of these, five contained intact bodies while body parts were retrieved from nearby bushes.
Authorities believe the burials are connected to followers of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly convinced his followers to fast to death as a way of “meeting Jesus.” Mackenzie remains in custody facing multiple murder charges.
The latest discoveries were made under tight security, with homicide detectives, forensic teams, and government pathologists assisting in the exhumations. Officials say 21 graves remain unexamined.
Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Biwot urged the public and media to share only verified information to avoid unnecessary alarm.
The government has pledged to continue investigations until all possible burial sites linked to the cult are examined.
The Shakahola case has been described as one of Kenya’s darkest cult tragedies.
Families continue to wait for closure as authorities work to identify the recovered remains through forensic analysis and DNA testing.