Investigators in Kenya have uncovered 32 bodies, most of them children, from a suspected mass grave in the western town of Kericho, deepening concerns over the circumstances surrounding the burials.
The bodies were exhumed after police obtained a court order allowing investigators to retrieve 14 bodies that were initially believed to have been buried at the site. However, the excavation revealed far more remains than expected.
Government pathologist Richard Njoroge described the discovery as “quite unusual,” noting that many of the bodies were stacked in gunny bags. The exhumation process lasted throughout Tuesday but was temporarily halted by heavy rains.
According to Njoroge, the remains include seven adults and 25 children, many of whom were infants or foetuses. Investigators also recovered several body parts, further complicating the case.
Authorities believe the victims may have died at different times. The adult remains were reported to be highly decomposed, while the bodies of the children were less decomposed, suggesting different burial periods.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to begin on Wednesday as officials seek to determine the identities of the victims and the exact causes of death.
Police homicide detectives and forensic teams worked under tight security during the excavation. Wearing white protective suits, gloves, and face masks, investigators carefully dug through the site, collecting remains and placing them in evidence bags.
Some of the bodies were recovered intact, while others consisted of partial remains and bones. The area was sealed off by police as crowds of residents gathered nearby, many appearing visibly shaken by the disturbing discovery.
The investigation was launched after a whistleblower tipped off authorities about suspicious burials at the site.
Earlier findings by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations suggested that 13 unclaimed bodies had been officially released from a hospital in neighboring Nyamira County and transported to Kericho for burial last Friday.
However, the presence of additional bodies has raised serious questions about how and why they were buried there.
The burial site reportedly belongs to the National Council of Churches of Kenya, which has denied any involvement in the secret burial. An official from the organization told local media that the burials were carried out without approval, leaving church leaders shocked by the discovery.
Police have arrested two suspects, including a public health officer from Nyamira and a cemetery caretaker, while several others are being questioned as part of the investigation.
Human rights organization Vocal Africa described the discovery as a “staggering and horrific escalation”, warning that reports of mutilation and dismemberment among the remains point to severe violence.
Outgoing Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has called for the rapid identification of the victims and a transparent investigation.
The grim discovery has also revived memories of a major tragedy in 2023 near the coastal city of Malindi, where hundreds of bodies were found in the Shakahola Forest.
In that case, self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie was arrested after 429 bodies, including many children, were exhumed from mass graves. Prosecutors accused him of instructing followers to starve themselves to death, allegations he has denied.
Authorities say the Kericho investigation is ongoing, with forensic teams working to uncover the full scale of the tragedy and determine whether criminal activity was involved.
