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President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to be patient as the government intensifies its probe into the shocking religious cult in Shakahola forest, Kilifi county, that has claimed more than 200 lives.

Speaking during a church service at AIC church in Milimani on Sunday, May 14, President Ruto assured the nation that the government is committed to getting to the bottom of the killings and asked for more time to allow security agencies to complete their investigations.

“I want to assure you that the government is going to get to the bottom of what really happened,” Ruto said.

“Give us a little time, our security agencies are working around the clock so that we can unravel these acts that shame the people who want to abuse the sanctity of religion and cause loss of lives.”

The Head of State said the government would work with the church to prevent the heinous acts from reoccurring in the future.

“We are going to work with the church so that we can prevent anything like that from ever happening again in the republic of Kenya,” Ruto added.

“We have to be sensitive and I am confident that our religious leaders will give us the guidance on how true religion is not taken advantage of by a few people who have aims that are not very legitimate.”

The number of deaths linked to the religious cult in Kilifi, hit 201 on Saturday after 22 more bodies were exhumed from the 800-acre forest.

The deaths are linked to the cultic preachings of controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church said to have influenced followers of the Malindi-based church to fast to death with a promise of “meeting Jesus”.

The pastor remains in custody as the probe continues.

Early this month, the President appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the killings dubbed “Shakahola Massacre”.

The President also appointed a taskforce to review the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organizations.

The President picked Court of Appeal judge Jessie Lesiit to chair the commission whose mandate will be to inquire into the deaths torture and inhumane and degrading treatment of members and individuals linked to Makenzie’s church.