Kericho's secret mass grave horror

A horrifying discovery in Kericho County has shocked the country after reports emerged of a secret mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery, where mutilated bodies were allegedly dumped by a government vehicle.

On Sunday, police sealed off the cemetery and commenced an investigation into what could be one of the most disturbing crime scenes in recent memory.

The discovery of the mass grave has raised questions about whether the bodies might be of those Kenyans who have been reported missing since June 2024.

Dozens of Kenyans, particularly young protesters, have gone missing following forced abductions by suspected security agents.

Reports by human rights groups indicate that over 80 people were reportedly abducted, with 24 still missing by early 2025. 

Yesterday, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which owns the land, distanced itself from the incident, stating it was not informed as required by protocol.

Reverend Andrew Tum, the NCCK chairman, told The Standard yesterday that the caretaker did not notify the church about the burial.

“It seems that the person who has been taking care of the cemetery has been acting on his own without our knowledge. He has not been submitting any report to us,” said Rev Tum.

He explained that proper procedure requires that a burial certificate be presented before any interment is allowed at the cemetery, along with compliance with hospital and legal requirements.

“In cases involving unclaimed bodies to be buried in a mass grave, a court order must be obtained. Whether it is the government or a hospital, they must present court documents authorising the disposal of the bodies. In this case, that was not done,” he added.

As the police step in to investigate the incident, witnesses, including grave diggers, have revealed a haunting encounter that placed them at the centre of the dark mystery.

They claim that on the morning of March 19, a vehicle with government registration numbers carrying three men pulled into the cemetery and had a hushed, lengthy meeting with a caretaker known only as Ezekiel.

What happened the following day, they say, was something out of a nightmare. At dawn, the same men returned, this time in a white Toyota Land Cruiser, and ordered the diggers to prepare a large grave.

Hours later, the labourers watched as body after body, sealed in body bags and gunny bags, was offloaded and dumped in the pit.

Betty Chepkurui, who works near the cemetery, said she saw the vehicle arrive and witnessed bodies being offloaded.

“I have never seen anything like it. I was shocked,” she said, adding that at least five bodies were thrown into the grave in her presence. Chepkurui claimed that upon inquiring about the origin of the bodies, she was told they were from Migori County and had been killed there.

Government property

She further stated that the burial took place around 10 am and lasted about 30 minutes.

“The three individuals, including the driver, left immediately after dumping the bodies, leaving behind the grave diggers they had hired to cover the grave,” she said.

Another resident, Edwin Ngetich, corroborated her account, claiming that homeless youths were hired to dig the grave. He said some of the bodies were not in body bags.

“When we asked why the bodies were not in body bags, we were told they were government property and had stayed for a long time. We did not understand what was going on,” said Ngetich.

He added that the grave appeared shallow—about five feet deep—but unusually wide, and that the bodies seemed to be wrapped in gunny bags.

Fresh details have emerged over the shocking discovery of bodies buried under unclear circumstances at the Kericho Public Cemetery, with new claims suggesting the presence of multiple mass graves containing dozens of bodies. Vocal Africa Head of Rapid Response, Frederick Odhiambo Ojiro, alleged that some of the bodies bore hallmarks of torture and were dismembered.

“Some of the bodies had parts such as heads and limbs removed. There are clear hallmarks of torture,” said Ojiro.

He claimed that the number of bodies buried at the site could be far higher than initially reported, alleging that the graves were dug and filled over a period of time.

“In one grave, there are 14 bodies; in another, there are seven bodies; and in yet another, there are up to 42 bodies,” he claimed.

The revelations have deepened fears among residents and leaders, who are now demanding urgent and transparent investigations into the matter. Questions continue to mount over the identities of the victims, the source of the bodies, and those behind the alleged secret burials.

Ojiro said forensic analysis will be key in uncovering the truth, saying that identification of the bodies would only be possible after exhumation and scientific examination.

“We will be able to establish who they are once samples are taken and the bodies are exhumed. That is when the truth will come out,” he said.

The claims come as detectives intensify investigations into the grim discovery, with authorities yet to give a comprehensive account of how the bodies ended up at the cemetery.

Concerned residents have now called for urgent investigations into the matter. Malon Victor Rono urged the National Police Service and other investigative agencies to uncover the truth.

“Kenyans must be assured of their security. The police must get to the bottom of this and tell us who was buried in that mass grave and how they died,” he said.

Murkomen under fire

Religious leaders have also weighed in, with Rev Allan Kiombe of Jesus Christ Centre Ministry warning that the incident risks damaging Kericho County’s reputation.

They estimate the number to be about 14. Some of the bodies, they allege, were mutilated.

The caretaker who allegedly facilitated the operation has since vanished without a trace.

Now, police are racing against time to locate him, even as plans are underway to exhume the bodies.

Kericho County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Mwenda Ethaiba said officers are investigating the matter.

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

Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir criticised top government officials, including Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, accusing them of negligence.

“How can 14 bodies be transported and buried in Kericho without the knowledge of the relevant agencies? This is a serious failure,” said Chirchir.