2 nabbed as DCI dismisses Kericho mass grave claims
By Aloys Michael, March 23, 2026The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has refuted claims of a mass grave in Kericho, clarifying that initial investigations indicate the site contains unclaimed bodies relocated from Nyamira, with no evidence suggesting foul play or criminal involvement.
In a press briefing on Monday, March 23, 2026, DCI Director Amin Mohammed said the matter had been hyped and sensationalised on social media, stating that investigators had found no evidence of a mass grave or any links to a mosque as earlier claimed.
“We were able to establish that these were bodies transferred from Nyamira District Referral Hospital to a private cemetery in Kericho belonging to a religious organisation, and that there were court orders authorising the transfer. However, we are interrogating the process through which those court orders were obtained,” Amin clarified.
“We are not dealing with mass graves. We are dealing with the transfer of bodies.”
According to the DCI, the bodies were moved from a referral hospital to a private cemetery in Kericho owned by a religious organisation, with court orders authorising the process.
However, DCI said they are now scrutinising how the court orders were obtained, amid emerging questions over possible procedural irregularities.
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.
At least five witnesses have already recorded statements as detectives work to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the burial.
DCI Amin has also confirmed the arrest of two persons of interest described as persons of interest, with a 30-day custodial order secured to allow investigators to continue with inquiries, adding that court orders have been obtained to facilitate further examinations at the burial site.
“As we are talking today, we were able to arrest two suspects who are persons of interest to us, and we obtained a 30-day custodial sentence to enable us to progress the investigations,” he said.
“Similarly, we obtained court orders for purposes of exhumation, which we intend to commence tomorrow.”
He said the investigators are examining discrepancies after a photocopied court order, authorising the burial of seven unclaimed bodies, was recovered from a cemetery caretaker’s residence, raising concerns over additional interments.
Original documents will be verified as the DCI maintains there is no evidence of foul play while inquiries continue into the transfer and burial process.