Police have exhumed another 39 bodies so far in coastal Kenya, on land owned by a pastor who was arrested for telling his followers to fast to death.
Malindi sub-county police chief John Kemboi said that more shallow graves have yet to be dug up on the land belonging to pastor Paul Mackenzie, who has been arrested over his alleged links to cultism.
So far, the death toll has risen to 43, because a further four people died after they and others were discovered starving at the Good News International Church last week.
Police have asked a court to allow them to hold Mr Mackenzie longer as investigations into the deaths of his followers continue.
At least three children were among the victims.
The leader of the Good News International Church, Mr Mackenzie turned himself in to police and was charged last month, according to local media, after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents.
He was initially released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($700).
Then he was detained again on April 15 after more bodies were found.
Eleven other followers of the church — seven men and four women aged 17 to 49 — were taken to hospital, three of them in a critical condition, after being rescued on April 14.
The case is due to be heard in court on May 2 with an initial hearing on Monday.
"This pastor will have to face all these charges, even though he has gone on a hunger strike, saying that he is praying and fasting in custody," a police source said.
Police raided the forest site after receiving information of the deaths of "ignorant citizens starving to death under the pretext of meeting Jesus after being brainwashed" by Mr Mackenzie.
Local media reported that six of Mr Mackenzie's associates were also arrested.
Police are continuing to search the Shakahola forest as well as land owned by Mr Mackenzie.
Wires/ABC
