The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through its Homicide Directorate, officially took over investigations into the discovery of a suspected mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho East Sub-County, Kericho County.
This development follows an earlier statement by the Inspector General of Police regarding the incident.
Preliminary findings indicate that thirteen unclaimed bodies were lawfully released from Nyamira County Referral Hospital and transported to Kericho for burial on the morning of March 20, 2026.
Detectives have since travelled to Nyamira, where they are actively interviewing all individuals involved in the process, including public health officers, drivers, escorts, and the cemetery caretaker.
So far, five witnesses have recorded detailed statements, with additional interviews ongoing.
A formal application for exhumation is scheduled to be filed on March 23, 2026. The process will allow pathologists and forensic experts to recover the remains, establish the cause and manner of death, and facilitate identification of the deceased. Investigators will also assess whether any criminal activity occurred beyond reported irregularities in the burial process.
During a search of the cemetery caretaker’s residence, officers recovered a photocopied court order—purportedly issued by Nyamira Law Courts—authorising the burial of seven unclaimed bodies. The original document and all related records are now pending formal verification.
The vehicle believed to have transported the bodies, a white Land Cruiser, has been located, impounded, and is currently undergoing forensic examination.
Meanwhile, the cemetery remains cordoned off and under round-the-clock police guard.
Authorities confirmed that the cemetery is owned by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), as verified by officials from its Kericho branch.
The Director of Homicide Martin Nyuguto is leading a specialised team that has assumed full control of the investigation from officers at Kericho Police Station.
The DCI has reiterated its commitment to conducting a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation.
While initial findings point to the burial of unclaimed bodies transferred from another county, all aspects of the case—including discrepancies in the number of bodies, authenticity of documentation, condition of remains, and any possible foul play—will be exhaustively examined.
Members of the public were urged to remain calm and report any credible information to the nearest police station.
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