Shakahola massacre: Death toll rises to 350 as 12 more bodies exhumed

12 more bodies have been recovered from Shakahola forest in Kilifi County on the first day of the fourth phase of exhumations.

The discovery of the 12 bodies brings the total count to 350 from the area since the investigations began into the Shakahola massacre.

The phase four exhumation inside Shakahola forest began at the home of one of the suspects in police custody- Titus Musyoka with detectives and pathologists digging where they had spotted graves in Musyoka’s compound.

But even before any recovery, police came across this picture showing two children in a jovial mood cutting a birthday cake, it is believed the two may be Musyoka’s children who were celebrating a birthday.

Next to the picture, police found a pair of shoes believed to be that of his wife and a bible where Musyoka had written his phone number in case it gets lost.

When the exhumation began, police recovered three bodies of minors believed to be Musyoka’s children.

From here the search continued deep inside the forest where nine more bodies were recovered.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki says they expect more bodies from the 40 identified graves.

"Na leo hii katika awamu imeanza leo tuko na makaburi 40 ambayo hayajafunguliwa na kila kaburi mengine tunashuku iko na zaidi ya maiti moja katika ile makaburi kwa hivyo ni changamoto kubwa...,” said Kindiki.

Kindiki says they will not relent in their pursuit to deal with rogue preachers to avoid another case of Shakahola massacre the country.

"Tutasukumana na wakora wote ambao wamejificha katika madhabahu yawe ni makanisa, yawe ni hekalu za dini zingine, misikiti tutawafurusha wote ambao wanaendeleza dini potovu... Hakuna tofauti ya wale watu na magaidi wa Al-Shabaab na wezi wa mifugo na wale wanauza madawa ya kulevya,” added Kindiki.