At least 73 bodies have so far been recovered from mass graves in the Shakahola forest in Malindi, Kilifi county.
The number rose following the exhumation of 26 more bodies on Monday, April 24, 2023, as the operation enters day four.
The death toll which has been rising steadily since operations began could rise further following Red Cross revealing that at least 112 people have been reported missing in the area.
The bodies belong to followers of a cult identified as Good News International Church under its leader, Paul Mackenzie.
Mackenzie remains in custody alongside 14 others as probe into the deaths continue.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has condemned the incident, saying the controversial preacher belongs in jail.
"People like Paul Mackenzie (of the Shakahola cult) and any other terrorists, do not belong to any religion. They belong in prison," Ruto said.
Adding;
"What is being witnessed in Shakahola is akin to terrorism. Mr Mackenzie who acts as a pastor is in fact a terrible criminal. Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing."
