Kericho mass grave sparks uproar as senators demand probe

The discovery of mass graves in Kericho county has ignited heated debate in the Senate, with Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the burial of dozens of bodies.

What was initially reported as 14 bodies has now risen to 33 following exhumations carried out on Tuesday.

Cherargei said the matter must be fully investigated to establish how the bodies were buried and under what authority.

“The presence of mass graves in Kericho county must be fully investigated on the circumstances of 14 bodies buried that has risen to 33 bodies upon exhumation yesterday,” Cherargei said.

The senator raised concerns about hospitals disposing of unclaimed bodies without following proper legal procedures.

He said the law provides clear guidelines on how such cases should be handled, and institutions must adhere to them to ensure dignity for the deceased.

Cherargei questioned why bodies would be transported to Kericho instead of being buried in designated cemeteries such as those in Nyamira.

He called for postmortem examinations to determine the cause of death, stressing that Kenyans deserve answers.

The senator also highlighted a notice issued by Kenyatta National Hospital indicating that 480 bodies remain unclaimed, half of them children. He urged authorities to account for these cases and ensure they are properly documented in court.

“I think and I believe that Kenyans who die should be given dignified ,” he said, underscoring the need for respect in handling the dead.

Beyond the mass graves issue, Cherargei addressed claims made by a fellow senator regarding President William Ruto's role as patron of Nairobi Hospital.

He dismissed suggestions that Ruto appointed himself, pointing out that past presidents including Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta had all served in the same capacity.

He criticised what he described as misleading statements targeting the President, urging colleagues to elevate the quality of debate in the House.

The revelations of mass graves and the broader issue of unclaimed bodies have raised alarm among lawmakers and the public, with calls for transparency and accountability in how hospitals and authorities handle the deceased.

As investigations continue, the Senate is expected to press for answers on the Kericho graves, the fate of the 480 unclaimed bodies at Kenyatta National Hospital, and whether legal procedures were followed in each case.

The unfolding situation has placed pressure on government agencies to explain the circumstances and reassure Kenyans that dignity and legality will be upheld in the treatment of the dead.