​The discovery of a mass grave at the Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho has exposed a disturbing sequence of events. From the initial Friday morning burial to the ongoing court battles, here is the official timeline of the scandal that has gripped the nation.


​ The Timeline of Events


  • ​Friday, March 20, 2026 (Morning): Witnesses, including casual laborers, reported that three unidentified individuals arrived at the cemetery in a white vehicle. They allegedly met with a caretaker named Ezekiel and oversaw the dumping of approximately 14 body bags into a single, large pit dug specifically for that purpose.


  • ​Saturday, March 21, 2026: A member of the public reported a fresh, suspicious grave to the authorities. Kericho police and DCI detectives visited the site, located about 1.5 km northeast of the station, and confirmed the presence of an unauthorized burial site.


  • ​Sunday, March 22, 2026: Homicide detectives officially launched their probe. Kericho Governor Eric Mutai denied county involvement and called for an immediate exhumation.


  • ​Monday, March 23, 2026: A Kericho court granted police a 30-day detention order for two key suspects, David Araka Makori and Richard Towett, to facilitate deeper investigations.


  • ​Late March 2026 (Exhumations): Exhumation efforts revealed a total of 33 bodies—25 children and 8 adults. While initial results suggested causes like pneumonia or septicaemia for some, others showed signs of trauma, such as head injuries and choking.


  • ​Sunday, March 29, 2026: Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo broke his silence, admitting his county authorized the burial of 13 unclaimed bodies but denied any knowledge of the remaining 20. He revealed that 32,000 KES was paid for the permits, but the funds were allegedly diverted by the transport team.


  • ​Tuesday, March 31, 2026: DCI Director Mohammed Amin toured the site and contradicted the Governor’s claims, stating that CCTV footage and hospital records indicate all 33 bodies originated from the Nyamira County Referral Hospital mortuary.


​ Current Status


  • ​Today, April 23, 2026: The initial 30-day detention period for the primary suspects expires today. They are expected back in court as the DCI prepares to file formal charges or request further time to analyze forensic data.


  • ​Post-Mortem Delays: Full forensic reports have been delayed due to inadequate capacity at the local Kericho County mortuary, requiring specialized equipment and external pathologists.


​Hamasta Media will continue to monitor the court proceedings today and provide updates on the forensic findings as they become available.