Authorities in Kericho County have launched investigations into reports of a suspected mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery, following claims that multiple bodies were buried in a single site under unclear circumstances.
In a statement dated March 22, 2026, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that officers had visited and secured the cemetery to preserve potential evidence. Investigators have begun recording witness statements while efforts continue to identify and question additional persons of interest.
The case was first reported at Kericho Police Station after a member of the public raised concerns about a suspicious burial at the Makaburini site. Police say the cemetery is located approximately 1.5 kilometres northeast of the station.
A team led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kericho, alongside Scenes of Crime personnel, visited the location and confirmed the presence of a recently dug grave.
According to preliminary accounts, two men identified as casual labourers who dig graves for pay told investigators that on March 19, a vehicle arrived at the cemetery and its occupants held discussions with a caretaker identified as Ezekiel. The workers allege that the same individuals returned the following morning in a white Land Cruiser and hired them to excavate a large grave.
The men further claimed that approximately 14 bodies, all placed in body bags, were subsequently deposited into the grave. Authorities have not independently verified these claims but say they form a key part of the ongoing investigation.
Police indicated that they are preparing to seek a court order for exhumation on March 23, which would allow forensic teams to examine the site and determine the number and condition of bodies buried there.
Efforts are also underway to locate the caretaker for questioning, as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged burial and whether any criminal activity was involved.
The case has raised significant public concern, with authorities urging calm as investigations proceed and pledging to provide updates as more information becomes available.
