The authorities in Kenya have begun releasing the remains of some of those who died in a cult which allegedly encouraged them to starve themselves to death.
Some 34 bodies out of the 429 exhumed from the remote Shakahola forest in the east of the country have been identified with the help of DNA samples from their relatives. On Tuesday, seven were handed over to three families.
Self-proclaimed Pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie preached an apocalyptic message that the end times were nigh. He’s accused of inciting hundreds of his followers to “fast” in order to see Jesus more quickly, something he denies.
High-school teacher Francis Wanje received four bodies, including those of his daughter, son-in-law and grandson.
He lost eight members of his family, and it was their disappearance which helped lead investigators to the discovery of mass graves in the vast forest.
Relatives were given psychological counselling from members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). ICRC staff also supported some of them as they wailed and cried when taken to view the remains of their loved ones.
