Exhumation of bodies allegedly buried at Kericho mass grave begins

The process of exhuming bodies allegedly buried at a mass grave in Kericho has begun.

Homicide detectives arrived at the scene on Tuesday to undertake the exhumation process as investigations into the matter continue.

This follows the discovery of a suspected mass grave believed to contain multiple bodies at a public cemetery in the Makaburini area.

Witnesses said some were reportedly mutilated.

Police said the incident was first brought to the attention of authorities by a member of the public on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

A team was sent from Nairobi DCI headquarters to join those on the ground in pursuing the matter.

Police said the incident was first brought to the attention of authorities by a member of the public on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Preliminary findings indicate the presence of a freshly dug grave within the cemetery.

On Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dismissed reports of a mass grave in Kericho, saying preliminary findings point to a transfer of unclaimed bodies from Nyamira rather than any criminal activity.

DCI Director Amin Mohammed said the matter had been “hyped and sensationalised” on social media, clarifying that investigators had found no evidence of a mass grave or any links to a mosque as earlier alleged.

“We are not dealing with mass graves. We are dealing with the transfer of bodies.”

According to the DCI, the bodies were moved from a referral hospital to a private cemetery in Kericho owned by a religious organisation, with court orders authorising the process.

However, DCI said they are now scrutinising how the court orders were obtained, amid emerging questions over possible procedural irregularities.

The development follows a shift in focus by the DCI on March 22, when detectives began probing the transfer of 13 unclaimed bodies from Nyamira County after a suspected mass grave was reported at Makubirini Cemetery in Kericho East Sub-County.