Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has asked the national government to deploy helicopters to boost the rescue efforts of the victims of Paul Mackenzie cult in Shakahola village.

The Speaker hailed the decision by the ministry of interior to use drones for the exercise, describing as an important step in the exercise.

But he pointed out that choppers are best suited for the task because they can land and rescue victims once they are spotted.

"I want to ask the Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to go beyond drones and avail helicopters for the rescue mission," he said.

The Speaker was speaking on Saturday when he led delegation of 11 senators for a fact finding mission to the site where 110 bodies have so far been found on the 800-acre piece of land belonging to pastor Paul Mackenzie in Shakahola, Kilifi County.

On Thursday, April 27, the Senate formed an 11-member Ad hoc committee and tasked it to investigate the circumstances of the death.

The House also directed the committee to explore possibilities of developing a legal regime to regulate religious institutions.

The Senate is working on the modalities of the committee's operations which must submit its report in 90 days.

 Speaker Kingi led the delegation to get a fast habd report on what is happening as the rescue efforts continues. 

The lawmakers who accompanied the Speaker included some of the members who will sit on the Ad Hoc committee.

Coast region Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha briefed the delegation on the rescue efforts being undertaken and the challenges rescuers have gone through since the operation started.

The state has deployed more than 3,000 police officers who are combing the vast piece of land as they follow adherents of the cult, believed to be on the run.

 It was an observation by the regional commissioner that most of the pastor were escaping deeper into the jungle to escape arrest that convinced the Speaker that something more urgent be done to save lives of the individuals who are sticking to the doctrine of their cult which demands that they fast until they die.

Speaker Kingi said choppers are the best in the circumstances because of the expanse of the area.

"Most of the people were rescued while escaping away, deeper into the forest," Ms Onyancha told the delegation which included minority Whip Stewart Madzayo.

Senators present were John Methu, Richard Onyonka, Shakila Abdalla Raphael Chimera, Danston Mungatana, Issa Boy, Mohamed Faki, Halima Kibwana, Jones Mwaruma and William Cheptumo.

"We must upscale the rescue mission. The drones may locate the victims but it cannot rescue them. Choppers are fit for that purpose," explained Speaker Kingi