Aasai

Nine bodies have been removed from new graves suspected of being linked to Kenyas famous famine sect. In one of the worst ever cases of mass cult-related deaths, more than 400 bodies were found in 2023 in the remote Shakahola Forest, inland from the coastal town of Malindi. 

They are believed to have been followers of the self-proclaimed priest Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly encouraged them to starve themselves to death. This exhumation was ordered in July after the disappearance of some children and prompted a new investigation. Prosecutors said 11 people have been arrested in connection with the case, including three former supporters of Mr Mackenzie during the "Shakahola Forest Massacre". 

The latest discovery appears to confirm fears raised by the government earlier in the year that the cult may still be alive. In April, Home Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said there were allegations that Mr Mackenzie was in full contact with his supporters from jail - using a cellphone. Mr Mackenzie, who was arrested last year and pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, allegedly told his followers they would get to heaven faster if they stopped eating. 

According to the AFP news agency, the Mombasa court adjourned its ongoing case earlier this month citing the discovery of new evidence. Five bodies were found in a mining area in Kwa Binzaro village near the Shakahola Forest on Thursday and four other bodies on Friday. "We have not finished the search; the area is very large. So we expect more bodies," state epidemiologist Richard Njoroge told Reuters on Thursday.

 "This is to appeal to citizens who may have lost their loved ones or who may suspect that their loved ones are missing to report to the Malindi District Hospital. We have a Red Cross desk where their information will be taken, and also DNA samples will be taken." The excavation of 18 other graves is expected to continue on Monday. In July, Kenyas Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it believed the interred may have "starved and suffocated due to adherence to and perpetuating religious extremism". 

Hussein Khalid, a human rights activist and CEO of Vocal Africa, witnessed the excavation on Thursday. "The first body that was found itself appeared to have been placed there recently - two to three weeks back. But four others seem to have been there for a while and were in a state of decay," he told the BBC.

 He said the situation in one of the cemeteries indicated foul play. "No remains were found but it looked as if in the days before, some person, some people or a certain group must have removed the corpse that was there," Mr Khalid said, adding that only pieces of childrens and womens underwear were left