Nyutu raises alarm over missing persons, faults silence on unidentified bodies
By Emmanuel Rono, March 26, 2026Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has raised a red flag over a growing number of unaccounted-for bodies discovered in Kericho, questioning whether they could be linked to the numerous cases of missing persons reported across the country.
Speaking during a morning talk show on a local station on March 26, 2027, Nyutu called for urgent investigations into unidentified bodies reported in parts of the country.
Nyutu questioned the identities of the bodies, noting that many Kenyans have been reported missing in recent months. He warned that some of the unidentified remains could belong to those individuals.
“The question remains: who were they? Many Kenyans have been reported missing, and some of the bodies could belong to those individuals,” Nyutu said.
Kericho Mass Grave
Nyutu’s remarks come following the incident that came to light after two street boys, aged 23 and 26, who work as gravediggers at the public cemetery, walked into Kericho Police Station on Saturday, March 21, 2026, to report a disturbing sequence of mass grave at the Makaburini Cemetery.
Officials had earlier indicated that 14 bodies were buried at the site, but it has since emerged that 33 bodies were exhumed. These included 25 children. There were also six body parts, which included both upper and lower limbs.
On March 23, 2026, at around 9:30 a.m., two persons of interest were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kericho.
“What worries me most is the extra number of bodies; 14 only were the ones that the county government of Kericho could account for. So what about the 18 more bodies that were buried? Who were they?” Nyutu stated.
Breach of Legal Procedure
Nyutu noted that Kenyan law is strict regarding the disposal of remains to prevent the concealment of crimes. He noted that a death permit is a mandatory requirement for any burial to ensure the cause of death has been properly established.
“If we were just going to bury people without the cause of death having been established, then people who could murder others, bury them, and it goes unnoticed,” Nyutu warned.
The senator also expressed concerns, saying he is worried about what he called President William Ruto’s “silence.”
He said that the lack of official communication on the issue raises more questions than answers.
“This underscores the urgent need for thorough investigations. It is also concerning that President Ruto has not yet commented on the matter,” Nyutu said.
The probe
The development follows a shift in focus by the DCI on March 22, 2026, when detectives began probing the transfer of 13 unclaimed bodies from Nyamira County after a suspected mass grave was reported at Makubirini Cemetery in Kericho East Sub-County.
The DCI’s Homicide Directorate has since taken over the investigations, dispatching officers to Nyamira to interrogate individuals involved in the handling and transportation of the bodies. Those questioned include public health officers, drivers, escorts, and the cemetery caretaker.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to establish the identities of those buried and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.