Tragic Discovery: Mass Grave of Infants Uncovered in Kenya

Wed Mar 25 2026 11:07:44 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Authorities have uncovered a mass grave in Kenya, revealing 32 bodies, predominantly infants, sparking an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

In a shocking revelation from the western Kenyan town of Kericho, officials have unearthed a mass grave containing 32 bodies, mainly of children. The discovery has raised alarm over potentially criminal activities tied to the burial, with a government pathologist emphasizing the unusual and disturbing nature of the findings, including bodies discovered in gunny bags. The investigation is ongoing as authorities grapple with understanding how these bodies came to be buried at a site that the local national council disclaims any involvement in.

About 32 bodies, mostly children, have been dug up from a mass grave in the western Kenyan town of Kericho as investigations continue into the shocking discovery.

The exhumation was done after the police obtained a court order to retrieve 14 bodies that were initially believed to have been buried at the site.

Government pathologist Richard Njoroge told journalists on Tuesday evening that what they found was quite unusual with bodies stacked in gunny bags, after a day-long process that was interrupted by heavy rains.

A post-mortem examination is expected to begin on Wednesday, amid calls to promptly identify the bodies and investigate the circumstances of the deaths.

Njoroge stated there were seven adults and 25 children, with many of the children being infants and fetuses. Some of the body parts were also retrieved from the site.

He added that while some bodies appeared to have originated from hospitals and mortuaries, this would be confirmed following autopsies, noting distinct decomposition levels, indicating the bodies died at different times.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) previously stated that their findings suggested that 13 unclaimed bodies had been released from a hospital in neighboring Nyamira county and transported to Kericho for burial last Friday.

However, many questions remain about the additional bodies and the manner of their burial. It is unclear how the bodies ended up in this grave site, which pertains to the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) — a church organization that has denied any involvement in the burial.

Some church officials indicated that the burial was conducted without their approval and caught them by surprise. The DCI is now investigating possible criminal activities related to the burial irregularities.

Two suspects, a public health officer from Nyamira and a cemetery caretaker, have reportedly been arrested, while others are being questioned.

Human rights group Vocal Africa condemned the discovery as a staggering and horrific escalation that exposes the true scale of this tragedy. They emphasized the need for a transparent investigation and accountability, mentioning the disturbing reports of mutilation among the remains.

Outgoing Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo underlined the urgency of identifying the victims promptly.

This revelation follows earlier reports of hundreds of bodies found in the Shakahola forest in 2023, connected to cult-related mass deaths for which a self-proclaimed pastor has since been arrested.