9 more people rescued alive in Shakahola forest

Police officers searching for survivors in the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County rescued nine people on Sunday, bringing the total number of people rescued to 81.

Among them are five children whose health condition is good but were kept under monitoring by doctors at the Malindi Hospital.

Officials said four were adults; one man and three women. The health condition of three of the adults was not good and were taken for treatment at the same facility.

Similarly, one person was arrested, bringing the number of people detained to 27.

The search for more shallow graves and survivors in the Shakola Forest is expected to continue on Tuesday after Coastal Regional Security Co-ordinator, Rhoda Onyancha, announced a two-day suspension of the exercise for more logistical arrangements.

In this case, members of the Good News International Church died from starvation after Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge reportedly instructed them to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus".

Mackenzie is still in police custody. He is yet to be charged.