About 32 bodies. Mostly children, have been unearthed from a mass grave in the western Kenyan town of Kericho as investigations continue into the shocking discovery; the exhumation was carried out after the police obtained a court order to retrieve 14 bodies initially believed to be buried at the site. Government pathologist Richard Njoroge told journalists on Tuesday evening that the findings were ‘quite unusual,’ with bodies ‘stacked in gunny bags,’ after a day-long process that was interrupted by heavy rains.

Unusual Discovery and Initial Findings

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 said there were ‘seven adults and 25 children,’ with the children being infants and foetuses. A number of body parts were also retrieved. The pathologist added that some of the bodies appeared to have originated from hospitals and mortuaries but that would be further determined after autopsies.

Njoroge noted that the adult remains were highly decomposed, with those of the children less so, which he said indicated that they died at different times. On Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said their initial findings indicated that 13 unclaimed bodies had officially been released from a hospital in neighbouring Nyamira county and transported to Kericho for burial last Friday.

Unanswered Questions and Denials

However, many questions remain about the additional bodies and the manner of burial. It is also not clear how the bodies came to be buried at the site that belongs to the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which has denied links to the secret burial. An official of the organisation told the local Daily Nation news website that the burial was conducted without their approval and caught NCCK officials by surprise.

The DCI had earlier said it was investigating whether there was any criminal activity besides the reported irregularities in the burial process. Two suspects, a public health officer from Nyamira and a cemetery caretaker, have reportedly been arrested in connection with the matter, with others being questioned.

Human Rights Response and Calls for Transparency

Human rights group Vocal Africa said the discovery was a ‘staggering and horrific escalation that exposes the true scale of this tragedy.’ ‘With reports of mutilation and dismemberment among the remains, the discovery points to a level of violence that demands immediate, transparent investigation and national accountability,’ it said. ‘Identification of these victims must be done as soon as possible,’ outgoing Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo said.

The discovery comes after hundreds of bodies were found in a remote forest in 2023 near the coastal city of Malindi in one of the country’s worst cases of cult-related mass deaths. Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie was arrested after 429 bodies, including children, were dug up from mass graves in the remote Shakahola forest. He was accused of ordering his followers to starve themselves to death – charges he has denied.

The Kenyan government has faced mounting pressure to address the growing concerns over unexplained deaths and the lack of transparency in handling such cases. The discovery of the mass grave in Kericho has reignited discussions about the need for stronger oversight in the healthcare and mortuary systems, which have been under scrutiny in recent years.

Local communities are calling for swift action to prevent further tragedies and ensure that all deaths are properly documented and investigated. The families of the victims have expressed their anguish and demanded justice. The police have assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and that all leads will be followed to the fullest extent.

The situation has also drawn international attention, with human rights organizations and foreign governments expressing concern over the handling of the case. The Kenyan embassy in several countries has been contacted to provide updates on the investigation and the government’s response to the findings.

As the post-mortems begin, the focus will shift to determining the cause of death for each individual and establishing the timeline of events that led to the mass burial. This information will be major in identifying the responsible parties and holding them accountable for their actions.

Authorities have set a deadline for the completion of the initial autopsies, with results expected to be released within the next two weeks. The DCI has indicated that it will work closely with the National Forensic Science Laboratory to ensure that all procedures are followed accurately and without delay.

The discovery of the mass grave in Kericho has sent shockwaves through the country, raising serious questions about the safety and integrity of the healthcare system. It has also highlighted the need for greater public awareness and vigilance in reporting any suspicious activities that may lead to such tragedies.