Further to the statement issued by the Inspector General of Police, the DCI’s Homicide Directorate has taken full command of investigations into the discovery of a suspected mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho East Sub-County, Kericho County.
A formal application for exhumation will be filed on March 23, 2026, to allow pathologists and forensic experts to recover the remains, establish the cause and manner of death, and attempt identification of the deceased.
Investigators will also determine whether any criminal activity occurred beyond the reported irregularities in the burial process.
Preliminary findings indicate that thirteen unclaimed bodies were officially 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 and are actively interviewing all individuals involved in the process, including public health officers, drivers, escorts, and the cemetery caretaker. Five witnesses have already recorded detailed statements, with more interviews ongoing.
During a search of the cemetery caretaker’s residence, a photocopied court order, purportedly issued by Nyamira Law Courts was produced, authorising the burial of seven unclaimed bodies. The original order and all related documentation are scheduled for formal verification.
The vehicle alleged to have transported the bodies, a white Land Cruiser, has been located and impounded and is currently undergoing forensic examination.
The cemetery remains cordoned off and under day and night police guard.
It has been established that the cemetery is owned by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), a fact confirmed by officials from its Kericho branch.
The Director of Homicide is leading a specialised team that has taken over all investigative efforts from the initial responders at Kericho Police Station.
The DCI remains committed to a meticulous, impartial, and transparent investigation. While early evidence suggests the interment of unclaimed bodies transferred from another county, all aspects of the matter—including the discrepancy in burial numbers, the authenticity of documentation, the condition of the remains, and any indication of foul play—will be thoroughly examined.
