Kericho mass grave mystery: How bodies were moved and secretly buried
Kericho mass grave at Makaburini cemetery where 14 bodies were buried, in this photo taken on March 22, 2022.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged secret burial of 14 bodies at a cemetery in Kericho town have deepened, as it has emerged that the facility’s owners, local administrators, police, and county government were all unaware of the incident.
Questions have been raised about how the bodies were transported from Nyamira County reportedly under court-sanctioned disposal orders without the knowledge of relevant government agencies and subsequently buried in Kericho.
It has also emerged that three youths who were hired to offload and bury the bodies were paid Sh1,000 each.
“We were paid Sh1,000 to dig the grave and another Sh1,000 to offload the bodies and bury them. We had no other responsibility,” one of the youths said.
He added that they had been warned by security officers against speaking to the media.
“We do not know who hired us because they wore masks. However, this was not the first time we were engaged this is our source of livelihood,” he said.
Reports further indicate that more than 60 bodies from Nyamira may have been secretly buried at the same facility without the knowledge of local authorities.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which owns the cemetery in central Kericho town, stated that no permission had been sought before the burials.
Mr Fredrick Odhiambo, Head of the Rapid Response Program at Vocal Africa, a non-governmental organistion, claimed that nearly 70 bodies could have been secretly buried at the cemetery in recent months.
“Preliminary information suggests that, apart from the 14 bodies buried on Thursday, another nine were buried last month, and 42 were brought in by truck last year. This matter is deeper than it appears,” he said.
“This is a serious matter. The Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) owe Kenyans an explanation. Thorough investigations must be conducted and action taken against those responsible,” Mr. Odhiambo added.
The discovery has also raised concerns about possible extrajudicial killings, with reports of people going missing and later turning up dead in mortuaries across the country.
“If these are not victims of extrajudicial killings, why were they buried hurriedly and in secret? Why were relevant government departments in Kericho kept in the dark?” he posed.
On Sunday, Director of Homicide at the DCI Martin Nyuguto took charge of the site, which has been cordoned off and guarded by armed police as authorities seek court orders for exhumation, despite it being a weekend.
“Forensic investigations are underway. There are procedures being followed and we ask for understanding, supportand patience from the public,” he said.
Accompanied by Kericho County Police Commander Kivinda Kilonzo, Mr Nyuguto urged residents to remain patient as the matter is handled professionally and within the law.
The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Kericho also clarified that it had not been informed about the use of the cemetery for a mass burial.
“We have no information about the burial of the 14 bodies. Permission was not sought, and we are in the dark like everyone else,” said Reverend Andrew Tum.
Kibe Maguta, the Kericho East (Ainamoi), Deputy County Commissioner, addressing members of the public at Makaburini cemetery in Kericho town, on March 22, 2026, where 14 bodies are said to have been secretly buried on Thursday, and the matter came to light on Saturday. Mr Maguta said the bodies were brought from Nyamira County.
He explained that standard procedure requires individuals seeking burial space to contact the administration and provide documentation, including a burial permit,steps that were not followed in this case.
Kericho Governor Erick Mutai confirmed that his administration had no agreement with any neighbouring county to bury bodies locally.
“Kericho is not a cemetery for other counties. We have not made any such arrangements. This has come as a shock to all of us,” he said.
He added that once exhumed, the bodies would be preserved at Kericho County Referral Hospital mortuary to prevent tampering or removal during investigations.
Due to the high public interest, Dr Mutai said that the exhumation should be conducted in daylight and in the presence of the public and stakeholders.
“We will not exhume bodies at night. The process must be transparent. There are risks of interference, including the possibility of bodies being swapped,” he warned.
He also urged residents to be cautious amid rising cases of cult-related activities.
“This issue raises serious safety concerns. People must be mindful of whom they associate with and account for their loved ones,” he said.
Nyamira confirmation
Last evening, health officials in Nyamira County confirmed that 13 unclaimed bodies had recently been transported for burial in Kericho, although it is unclear whether they are part of the 14 discovered.
A public notice issued on February 10, 2026, by Mr David Araka on behalf of the Medical Superintendent of Nyamira County Referral Hospital Mortuary, had alerted the public about unclaimed bodies.
The notice urged families to identify them within 14 days, failing which they would be disposed of due to congestion.
The notice was reaffirmed on February 16 before the bodies were disposed of on Thursday.
“We lack a public cemetery in Nyamira, so we usually transfer unclaimed bodies to Kericho. Due process was followed,” said a senior Nyamira official who requested anonymity.
He added that a court order had been obtained from the Nyamira Magistrate’s Court.
Among the deceased was Collins Sirinji Mahunya, whose body had been at the mortuary since November 2024 after being found in an advanced state of decomposition. Others included unidentified adult males, a one-year-old child, abandoned stillborn twins and featuses recovered by police.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall dispersed residents who had gathered at the scene, although police continued guarding the site pending exhumation orders.
Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir, the only elected leader present at the scene, demanded answers.
“Residents deserve to know where these bodies came from, who transported them, and how they were buried here without authorities’ knowledge,” he said.
It also emerged that the vehicle used had government registration but was partially concealed, while those involved wore masks.
Residents expressed fear and concern over the incident.
“We are worried this could involve extrajudicial killings, with bodies dumped far from victims’ homes,” said Peter Oyoo.
Another resident, Beatrice Chebet, urged the government to act swiftly.
“Investigations must be done professionally and findings made public to stop speculation,” she said.
Police officers continue to guard the site as hundreds of residents gathered, while homicide detectives oversee the unfolding investigation.
Heavy rainfall in the evening dispersed members of the public who had camped at the scene from morning with the numbers building up in the afternoon.
But police officers remained at the scene and are expected to guard the grave until Monday morning when orders are sought from the courts for exhumation.
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