Kilifi exhumations reach 24 bodies as probe deepens

Five more bodies were exhumed on Wednesday at Kwa Binzaro in Kilifi County, bringing to 24 the total number of bodies recovered over the past five days.

Authorities also collected scattered human remains and body parts, which will undergo DNA analysis to establish whether they correspond with the exhumed bodies.

Government pathologist Dr. Richard Njoroge confirmed that the graves opened on Wednesday contained five bodies, while an additional skull was found on the surface.

This raised to 21 the number of body parts retrieved during the ongoing recovery mission.

“We also collected many body parts scattered around the perimeter of the graves. Those will also be processed through DNA to see if they match any of the body parts we collected,” said Dr. Njoroge.

Investigators have linked the burials to victims believed to have previously been rescued from the nearby Shakahola Forest, which borders Kwa Binzaro village. The site had earlier been mapped by homicide detectives, who identified 27 graves.

On Monday, police arrested 11 suspects, among them a woman believed to own the land where the graves were discovered.

Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott said security agencies are working with local residents through community policing networks to enhance vigilance.

“Tumeongea na wananchi (We've spoken to residents) to strengthen community policing and the Nyumba Kumi initiative that is ongoing in small groups, wale wote wanakaa kwa hii shamba and the rest that are coming from outside,” said Biwott.

So far, 20 graves have been exhumed, with officials expected to continue the operation on Thursday.