Kericho mass grave mystery: Police seek exhumation orders, cemetery cordoned off
Kericho mass grave at Makaburini cemetery where 14 bodies were buried, in this photo taken on March 22, 2022.
Police on Sunday have secured a cemetery in Kericho town following a shocking incident in which 14 unidentified bodies were allegedly buried secretly.
It has emerged that the bodies may have been transported from Nyamira County and buried at a cemetery located in the heart of Kericho town.
At least eight uniformed police officers, along with several civilians, were deployed to the site on Sunday morning to guard the scene and prevent members of the public from accessing the graveyard.
On Thursday, unknown individuals are said to have hired street boys to dig a grave. They later returned hours afterwards with bodies in body bags, which the boys were reportedly paid to bury.
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.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that following the alleged discovery of a mass grave at the Makaburini Cemetery, officers visited the scene and took steps to preserve the integrity of potential evidence.
“At this preliminary stage, we are seeking to establish the veracity of the claims. Some witnesses have recorded statements and efforts are underway to locate and interview more persons of interest in this matter. The matter is being handled with the utmost seriousness and will be conducted professionally and transparently to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident,” Mr Nyaga said.
Kericho mass grave at Makaburini cemetery where 14 bodies were buried, in this photo taken on March 22, 2022.
He further noted that the National Police Service remains committed to conducting impartial, thorough and expeditious investigations in accordance with the law. He assured the public that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
Information provided to the police by the street boys who took part in digging the grave and burying the bodies indicated that three men arrived and held a lengthy discussion with the cemetery caretaker.
The strangers then approached the boys and asked them to dig a grave. They later returned early the next morning in a vehicle carrying mutilated bodies in body bags.
It is alleged that the bodies were buried in a single grave by the boys in exchange for payment, after which the men drove away.
On Sunday, police were searching for the cemetery caretaker to record a statement in connection with the incident.
Ainamoi Deputy County Commissioner Kibet Maguta told residents on Sunday morning that it was suspected the bodies were brought from the neighbouring Nyamira County, which he claimed had run out of burial space.
A police officer in plain clothes restrained members of the public from accessing the Makaburini cemetery in Kericho town, on March 22, 2026, where 14 bodies were reportedly secretly buried.
“The intelligence information we have is that the bodies were brought from Nyamira and buried here. However, there was no formal communication with our counterparts there prior to the burial,” Mr Maguta said in response to public inquiries.
“We are seeking orders today to exhume the bodies. If that is not possible since it is Sunday, we will wait until tomorrow to secure the necessary orders.”
He urged residents to remain calm and avoid speculation, which could lead to unnecessary tension.
