THE KENYAN government
says it will release some of the bodies of the Shakahola hunger cult victims
next week.
About 34 bodies have been
identified and reunited with their families, out of hundreds that were exhumed
last year.
The bodies of 429 people,
including children, were exhumed from graves in Shakahola, a remote forest
outside the coastal town of Malindi.
Many showed signs of
hunger and assault. The families of the survivors and victims said, self-proclaimed
pastor Paul Mackenzie encouraged members of his Good News International Church
to move there and prepare for the end of the world.
Survivors say he ordered
them to fast so they could "reach heaven".
The government will
counsel the families of the victims but will not help them transport the bodies
for burial, said senior government specialist Dr Johansen Oduor on Wednesday.
Mr Mackenzie has denied
involvement in the deaths. He and several of his followers are currently facing
several charges, including terrorism, murder and torture.
A new excavation is
scheduled to take place in one to two weeks,
Dr. Oduor said, adding
that 35 more grave sites have been identified.
Planned new drilling
could increase the death toll further.