Government pathologist Richard Njoroge has released preliminary findings from postmortems on 25 children recovered from a mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho Town. Premature births accounted for most deaths, with only a few cases showing physical trauma. Detectives have arrested suspects as investigations proceed.
Government pathologist Richard Njoroge announced preliminary postmortem results on Friday, March 26, conducted at Kericho County Hospital mortuary. The examinations covered 25 children's bodies exhumed from a mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho Town.
"The bodies were in various stages of decomposition. Only a few were fresh, while the others were severely decomposed," Njoroge stated.
The remains ranged from foetuses to full-term infants across different developmental stages. Of the 25, eight were male, ten female, and seven undetermined due to decomposition. Premature births caused ten deaths, four showed head injuries, and two causes remained undetermined.
This follows the recovery of 32 bodies, including eight adults, by Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers two days earlier. Postmortems on the adults are scheduled for Friday, March 27.
Detectives have arrested a Nyamira County Hospital official and the cemetery caretaker linked to the secret burials. Officials urged the public to remain calm as probes continue.