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Hundreds of victims of controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s alleged cultic teachings may be laid to rest in the Shakahola Forest as DNA profiles have so far failed to identify their remains.

Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor (pictured) hinted at the possibility of burying the bodies in marked graves within the forest for potential future identification.

These graves would facilitate future identification, should DNA profiles eventually be generated.

Out of 453 bodies discovered, only 34 have been positively identified and returned to their families. The remaining 419 bodies are still undergoing identification processes.

Dr Oduor, speaking at the commencement of the fifth phase of autopsies on the cult victims, lamented that most of the bodies preserved at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital morgue remained unidentified due to the lack of DNA samples from relatives.

“Six out of the 24 bodies retrieved during the latest exhumations were examined,” Dr Oduor said, “but the causes of death could not be established. The high level of decomposition had turned the bodies, particularly those of children, into skeletons.”

Properly identified

When efforts to identify an unknown body reach an impasse, the standard practice in forensic medicine is to temporarily bury the body in a marked grave. This ensures that if a DNA profile is later generated, the body can be retrieved and properly identified.

Dr Oduor, accompanied by Homicide Director Martin Nyuguto, urged relatives of the victims to provide DNA samples at government chemists for identification purposes.

The slow process of DNA extraction requires patience, unlike rapid diagnostic tests for diseases like malaria or typhoid.

Although the government has DNA samples from the bodies in the morgue, the lack of reference samples from relatives has hindered the identification process.

Dr Oduor also suggested the conclusion of exhumations since all identified graves have been excavated. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will ensure a final sweep of the forest to confirm no human remains are left behind.