Shakahola Grave Digger Explains Why He Can't Sleep at Night

A man working in Shakahola exhuming bodies has narrated how the job has taken a toll on him. 

The grave digger who sought his identity to be hidden has been in the horrific fields since the Friday of April 21 when detectives started camping there. 

He said the exercise has had an impact on his mental health.

According to him, he can't sleep owing to the view he gets of the body in their horrendous state.

He explains that nightmares have become a common occurrence for him, compelling him to pray that the night passes as fast as possible. 

"It was difficult and has really affected me. All my life I've never seen a grave bearing more than one body. I've also never experienced bodies being exhumed, but here you have to get used to that," he said.

The man divulged that they are paid Sh 1,000 for every day they've worked.

He further explained that vegetation like sweet potato vines and vegetables had been planted to cover the graves.

Over a hundred bodies have been exhumed so far since the Friday of April 21 when the exercise started.

On Friday, April 28, the exercise was suspended following the bad weather occasioned by heavy rains:; the exercise would resume the following day.

Speaking to the press, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki explained that the exhumation would not continue during the rains as that would damage the bodies and consequently crucial evidence.

The members of the press and human rights groups have been barred from the fields, Kindiki saying the professionalism employed in the exhumation excludes non-experts.

The bodies are of people believed to be followers of Paul Mackenzie, a controversial preacher accused of indoctrinating them.

It is said that Mackenzie, who headed Goods News International church, convinced his faithful to starve to death with the intent of meeting God.

Mackenzie is presently behind bars as investigators continue with their probe alongside the exhumation of the bodies.