The police on Friday blocked Azimio leader Raila Odinga from entering Shakahola where hundreds of Christian faithful were buried in shallow graves after starving to death in the forest.
Mr. Odinga who was accompanied by local politicians including Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu tried to gain access into the area currently restricted by the police only to be told by security officers that he has to seek clearance from Police IG Japheth Koome before he is allowed in the scene of a crime.
“I want to access the forest so that I can be able to see the graves, I can’t travel all the way and go back without seeing the scene,” Raila told the security officers.
”The Shakahola incident has caught the world’s attention. I haven’t seen anywhere else where there have been reports of cults and the media is blocked. Why did the government ban the media and human rights from the ground? I don’t need anyone’s permission to get there,” he added.
However, Peter Ndung’u, the senior assistant inspector general of police who has been spearheading the security operation in Shakahola told Mr. Odinga and the MPs that the area has been declared a crime scene and allowing them through could interfere with the ongoing investigations.
”No one is allowed in the forest because the investigation process is delicate,” the assistant Police IG noted.
