33 bodies exhumed in Kericho mass grave

At least 33 bodies were exhumed from a mass grave at a cemetery in Kericho County.

The exercise was conducted by a multi-agency team on Tuesday.

Officials had earlier indicated that 14 bodies were buried at the site, but it has since emerged that 33 bodies were exhumed.

These included 25 children. There were also six body parts, which included both upper and lower limbs.

“Recent findings at Kericho Cemetery have revealed the presence of multiple human remains under circumstances suggesting varied timelines and possible external sources,” officials said.

The remains were in different stages of decomposition, indicating varying times of death.

The variation in decomposition suggests the bodies were not interred at the same time, and initial indications point to possible origins from and mortuaries.

The exercise was supervised by the Director of Homicide, Martin Nyuguto and a government pathologist representing Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor. 

Preliminary reports show that eight of the bodies are adults, while 25 are children.

The team moved the bodies to the mortuary for further examination as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the burials continue.

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.

On March 23, 2026, at around 9:30 a.m., two suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kericho.

The arraignments, filed under Miscellaneous Application, sought custodial and exhumation orders to allow authorities to continue investigations and prepare for the recovery of remains from the site.

The court granted the requests for a period of 30 days, giving law enforcement agencies the mandate to carry out necessary arrangements for exhumation and further forensic examinations.

Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to establish the identities of those buried and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.