Two children found buried in shallow grave in Bureti

The bodies of the siblings (left) were wrapped in a blanket. [File, Standard]

Bodies of two children aged eight and six have been recovered from a shallow grave in Kapkerkeny village, Bureti constituency, Kericho county.

Kericho County Police Commander Geoffrey Mayek told journalists Thursday, that the bodies of the siblings - boy and girl- were discovered wrapped in a red blanket in a one-metre-deep grave.

Mayek said the deceased were Grade 1 and PP1 pupils at Kipkerkeny Primary School.

“We have launched an investigation into the incident with a view of establishing how and who killed the children and subsequently delivering justice to them,” he said.

Joylene Soi, the children's grandmother, said she left them at home on July 12 at around 4 pm to go shopping along Ng'oina Road.

“When I returned home at around 7:30 pm, I found neither my daughter nor the grandchildren at home, and I assumed that their mother had taken them with her,” she said.

Betherlyn Cherotich, the children's aunt, told police she called their mother on July 14 and she said that she was in Nakuru with them.

“She abruptly hung up when I asked about the welfare of the children,” she said.

The children’s uncle, Dennis Kimutai Yegon, revealed that while fencing near the banana plantation, he saw dogs fighting near a one-metre-deep hole, pulling out a blanket. A foul smell emanating from the hole prompted Yegon to inspect it.

“I chased the dogs away and discovered two mutilated bodies wrapped in a red blanket. I immediately called the area chief, who informed the Officer Commanding Station,” he said.

Mayek said the scene was processed, and the bodies were removed to Kapkatet Mortuary for autopsy.

“We urge anyone with information related to this heinous crime to come forward and assist the police in their investigation,” he said.