Shakahola death toll climbs to 372 after 12 more bodies exhumed

Twelve more bodies have been exhumed at the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County where the search for victims of a suspected starvation cult is ongoing.

The death toll now stands at 372 after phase four of the exhumation exercise kicked off on Monday this week

Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha on Wednesday said that no new arrests have been made in connection with the deaths hence the total number of arrests remains at 37.

Onyancha also reported that the number of rescued people so far remains at 95 while the DNA samples collected are at 253.

The exercise is set to continue on Thursday after Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki on Monday said they expect more bodies from the 40 new graves which were identified.

The suspected cult is linked to Good News International Church's controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is accused of brainwashing his followers to starve themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus."

Mackenzie is still in police custody.