Kericho Mass Grave: DCI Uncovers Major Lapses in Hospital and Morgue Handling

Investigations into the suspected mass grave uncovered procedural failures at the Nyamira Teaching and Referral Hospital, with the authorities denying allegations of foul play while instead attributing the actions to negligence.

Speaking at the scene, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin outlined disturbing findings, stating:

“Several severe irregularities in mortuary tagging and documentation. The vast majority of the 39 remains, that is the 33 bodies and 6 parts, lacked the standard official mortuary tags.”

He added that identification failures were pervasive, noting: “Only a few had illegible hospital tags or informal handwritten wrist or foot tags. However, none of the bodies had proper hospital identification and documentation.”

The discrepancies extended to hospital and mortuary records, raising further concerns over accountability.

“Further, whereas the hospital records indicate that 46 infants may have died in the ward and were taken to the morgue, the mortuary records do not account for the discharge of the 46 infants or fetuses whose remains may have left the morgue,” Amin said.

Serious Lapses in Mortuary and Burial Protocols

According to investigators, the findings point to systemic breakdowns in operational standards.

“These findings, therefore, point to serious lapses in mortuary protocols, serious lapses in documentation and oversight at Nyamira Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, as well as irregularities in the burial process at the Makoboreli Cemetery,” Amin stated.

The cemetery, owned by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Kericho branch, was reportedly under the supervision of a caretaker identified as Richard Tewet, also known as Ezekiel.

Authorities confirmed that all remains discovered in the mass grave originated from the hospital mortuary.

“The investigations have, therefore, conclusively established that all the remains recovered from the mass grave, where we are standing this morning, actually originated from Nyamira Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, and this has been acknowledged by the management and the officials of the said referral hospital,” Amin said.

Also Read:Kericho Mass Graves: Governor Nyaribo Says Nyamira County Disposed Only 13 Bodies

Surveillance Footage and Arrests

Crucial evidence includes surveillance footage captured at the facility.

“We have footages from the facility that shows that on March 19, 2026, four bags were loaded into a white Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number GKA549L, by Jason Mochara Nyabi, who is the chief mortician of the referral hospital, under the direct supervision of the facility’s public health officer,” he revealed.

The vehicle in question has since been seized. “This particular vehicle has since been impounded and is under police custody,” Amin confirmed.

So far, six suspects have been arrested, although three were later released after interrogation.

The remaining suspects in custody include chief mortician Jason Machora Nyarbi, public health officer David Araka Makori, and cemetery caretaker Richard Towet.

Forensic Investigations and Accountability Measures

Authorities have launched a comprehensive forensic process to identify the deceased.

“While DNA and toxicology samples have already been submitted to the government chemist for further forensic analysis, the investigation team has embarked on tracing the parents of the deceased infants as the fetuses, and reference DNA samples from patients whose limbs were amputated at the hospital for comparison purposes,” Amin stated.

In addition, document verification is ongoing.

“Authentication and analysis of court orders, hospital records, mortuary records, and all other relevant documents pertaining to the matter under investigation,” he said.

Investigators are also seeking clarity from the NCCK regarding employment records and land ownership.

“We are also pursuing outstanding administrative records from the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kericho branch, specifically to ascertain the confirmation of employment, the deployment details and the roles for Richard Towet,” Amin added.

Further scrutiny will determine whether the Makaburini Cemetery is legally recognized.

“We also desire to know the list of employees of the organization and confirmation of the land registration details for the NCCK Makaburini Cemetery, including whether the land is a gazetted public cemetery,” he said.

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Negligence, Not Murder

Despite public speculation, authorities emphasized that the case does not involve homicide.

“So currently, we are talking about dead, undocumented dead bodies. People are talking about mass murder. Nothing about the murder here. We are just talking about negligence and accountability,” Amin clarified.

He confirmed that financial transactions tied to burials are also under scrutiny.

“Ksh 130,000 was paid to the management of the NCCK Makaburini Cemetery. Unfortunately, like I said, there are no proper protocols. When that payment is done, then the public health officer and the mortician was supposed to ensure that due process has been followed,” he said.

Investigators believe procedural failures occurred over time.

“Periodically, there was a lapse. There was a lapse and that is what is under investigation,” Amin noted.

Authorities are now preparing legal action under multiple statutes.

“We are looking at offenses under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, offenses under the Penal Code, and offenses again under the Public Health Act. And once we are done, then we will submit the file to the ODPP for further investigation,” he concluded.

Court proceedings in the matter are ongoing, with the case scheduled for mention on April 23, 2026.

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