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Authorities in western Kenya have discovered at least 33 bodies, including those of children and dismembered remains, from a mass grave, sparking concerns about a potential clandestine transfer from a hospital morgue. The grim discovery, made on Thursday, has left the community seeking answers.
Investigators unearthed the remains of 25 children and eight adults, along with body parts placed in sacks, at a cemetery owned by a church in Kericho, according to official reports. The incident has raised serious questions about the handling and disposal of these bodies.
Mohamed Amin, head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, addressed the media, stating, “Our investigation has revealed that these bodies were moved from Nyamira District Hospital to a private cemetery in Kericho.” The authorities are now focused on determining whether the transfer and burial of these bodies were conducted lawfully.
The discovery of these 33 bodies, 25 of which were identified as children, has drawn significant attention and concern. (Photo by Andrew Kasuku/AP)
At least 33 bodies – 25 of which belonged to children – were found in a mass grave in Kenya on Thursday. (Andrew Kasuku/AP Photo)
The Associated Press reported that Kenyan law allows hospitals and morgues to dispose of unclaimed bodies after 14 days with court authorization.
Government pathologists conducted autopsies Thursday to determine the cause of death, though the identities of the victims have not been released.
Authorities have arrested two people in connection with the case.
Authorities have arrested two people in connection with the case. (Andrew Kasuku/AP Photo)
Local media reported the bodies were transported in a government vehicle by unidentified individuals and buried hastily, with some gravediggers later alerting police.
“We need authorities to conduct a thorough investigation,” resident Brian Kibunja said.
Another resident, Samuel Moso, said authorities should “reveal if the government was involved or if a different group of people was behind the mass burial.”
There have been three major mass-grave incidents in Kenya over the past three years. (Andrew Kasuku/AP Photo)
There have been three major mass-grave incidents in Kenya over the past three years.
Police in 2023 uncovered hundreds of bodies buried in a forest in Kenya’s coastal Kilifi region, exhuming mass graves tied to a religious leader accused of starving his followers to death.
In 2024, authorities recovered nine bodies from a dumpsite in Nairobi, the Eastern African nation’s capital.
The latest discovery comes as concerns grow among some Kenyans over alleged abuses by police.
Missing Voices, a human rights group, said it documented 125 extrajudicial killings and six enforced disappearances in Kenya over the past year, compared to 104 reported killings the year before.