Detectives exhume 18 more bodies, rescue two starving women

"The bodies were wrapped in kangas and buried in shallow sunken graves," said Malindi-based detective Charles Kamau.

The security team also rescued two women on Sunday who were on the verge of death after denying themselves food following alleged orders from the pastor, now believed to be running a cult-like church.

Detectives from the homicide unit in Nairobi are combing the controversial preacher's expansive 800-acre farm in the remote village to unravel the extent of the tragedy blamed on extremist teachings by the Makenzi, who used to run the Good News International church.

The followers have allegedly obeyed Makenzi's instructions and starved themselves to death in the false promise to 'meet Jesus." The exhumation operation started Monday last week and is expected to take two weeks as ordered by a Malindi court.

However, detectives who have since identified a total of 58 graves said they may ask the court to give them more time to complete the work. Pastor Mackenzie is being held in police custody as he faces several charges in court in Malindi, following activities associated with the controversial church.

Makenzi claims to have closed down his church in 2019 but reports indicate that people still go to his vast farm for religious activities which may be leading to further revelations as to who the disgraced preacher was.

Families have been going to the remote villages trying to trace their kin who are said to have sold their property and joined Makenzi in the false belief that they will find answers to their problems.

Several people have been rescued while on the verge of death in Shakahola as residents come to terms with the bizarre development.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is expected to visit the scene this week to witness the exhumation of bodies suspected to be tucked in more unmarked graves.