KERICHO, Kenya — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken over investigations into a suspected mass grave discovered at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho East Sub-County, as authorities move to exhume bodies and verify documentation surrounding the burials.
In a statement on Sunday, the DCI said its Homicide Directorate had assumed full command of the probe following guidance from the Inspector General of Police.
Investigators plan to file a formal application on March 23, 2026, seeking court approval to exhume the remains for forensic examination.
Authorities said the exhumation will allow pathologists and forensic experts to determine the cause and manner of death, establish identities, and assess whether any criminal activity occurred beyond reported irregularities in the burial process.
Preliminary findings indicate that 13 unclaimed bodies were released from Nyamira County Referral Hospital and transported to Kericho for burial on March 20, 2026.
Detectives have since travelled to Nyamira County to interview individuals involved in the process, including public health officers, drivers, escorts, and the cemetery caretaker.
According to investigators, five witnesses have already recorded detailed statements, with additional interviews ongoing. During a search of the caretaker’s residence, officers recovered a photocopied court order allegedly issued by Nyamira Law Courts authorising the burial of seven unclaimed bodies.
The original order and related documents are set to undergo formal verification.
Police also impounded a white Land Cruiser believed to have transported the bodies. The vehicle is currently undergoing forensic examination as part of the investigation.
The cemetery has been cordoned off and placed under round-the-clock police guard. Authorities further confirmed that Makaburini Cemetery is owned by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), based on verification by officials from the organisation’s Kericho branch.
The Director of Homicide is leading a specialised team that has now taken over all investigative efforts from officers at Kericho Police Station.
The DCI said the probe will examine discrepancies in the number of bodies buried, the authenticity of documentation, the condition of the remains, and any possible indication of foul play.
While early findings suggest the burials involved unclaimed bodies transferred from another county, investigators said all angles remain open. Members of the public have been urged to remain calm and share any information with police through emergency numbers or anonymously via the #FichuaKwaDCI reporting channels.
Further updates are expected once the exhumation process begins and forensic analysis is completed.
