Suspected mass grave discovered in Kericho, multiple bodies found

Police cordoned off the site of the mass grave at Kericho Public Cemetery  [Nikko Tanu, Standard]

Police in Kericho County have launched investigations following the discovery of a suspected mass grave containing multiple bodies, some reportedly mutilated, at the Makaburini area.

Kericho County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Mwenda Ethaiba confirmed the incident, stating that detectives are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the discovery.

“We are trying to piece things together so that we know the nature of the incident,” Ethaiba said.

Police cordoned off the site of the mass grave at Kericho Public Cemetery  [Nikko Tanu, Standard]

According to a police report filed at Kericho Police Station under OB number 37/21/03/2026 at 4:20 p.m., the incident was first reported by a member of the public who raised the alarm over a suspicious grave within the public cemetery.

A team comprising officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Scenes of Crime personnel, and police officers visited the site, located approximately 1.5 kilometres northeast of the station. Upon inspection, authorities confirmed the presence of a freshly dug grave.

The report indicates that two individuals—B.K. (26) and O.W. (23), both residents of Makaburini—provided crucial information to investigators. The two men, who work as casual grave diggers, alleged that the events began on March 19, 2026.

They claimed that on that day, a motor vehicle carrying three occupants arrived at the cemetery and held a lengthy discussion with a caretaker identified only as Ezekiel.

Police cordoned off the site of the mass grave at Kericho Public Cemetery  [Nikko Tanu, Standard]

The police report indicates that the individuals returned on March 20 at approximately 6:00 a.m. in a white Land Cruiser and hired BK and O. W to dig a grave. Approximately 14 bodies, packed in body bags and some reportedly mutilated, were subsequently dumped into the grave.

Police say investigations are ongoing. A formal request for the exhumation of the bodies is expected to be made on March 23, 2026, to allow for forensic analysis and formal identification.

Authorities have also launched a manhunt for the caretaker, Ezekiel, who is currently sought as a key person of interest in the case.