Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has distanced his administration from any form of foul play following the discovery of 33 bodies at Kericho’s Makaburini Cemetery.
Nyaribo, speaking to the media on Sunday, March 29, 2026, said the county only authorised 13 of the 33 bodies buried in the Kericho mass grave.
“We were called to dispose of those bodies in a public cemetery… we released an officer and a vehicle with 13 bodies, fully compliant with all the laws,” Nyaribo said.
“We gave money to be paid to the county, but unfortunately, whoever was given the money did not remit it to the county. He had an arrangement with a private morgue or a private cemetery where they went and disposed of the bodies. The exhumation was done, and 33 bodies were found.”
He said his administration was not aware of the additional 20 bodies and noted that they would have sought permission to bury them.
“The permission for disposing of 13 bodies and 33 is the same. So those involved, from Nyamira to Kericho, I think are already in custody,” he added.
Nyaribo’s comments come as Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that preliminary investigations into the Kericho mass grave incident point to possible collusion between Nyamira County health officials and a cemetery caretaker.
Speaking on March 28, 2026, in Kiptemo, Kericho County, Murkomen said early findings suggest coordinated wrongdoing in the unlawful disposal of bodies at Makaburini Public Cemetery.
The CS was addressing mourners during the burial of his longtime friend Dr. Edna Chepkwony’s mother, the late Mama Recho Cherono Siele.
“The preliminary findings in the Kericho mass grave case indicate possible collusion between Nyamira County health officials and the caretaker of Makaburini Public Cemetery in Kericho County,” Murkomen disclosed.
The discovery of the mass grave has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about adherence to legal procedures governing the handling and disposal of human remains.
Murkomen expressed regret over the incident, terming it a serious breach of the law and established protocols.
He confirmed that several suspects linked to the case have already been arrested and will face prosecution once investigations are complete.
“What happened is unacceptable. There was a court order specifying the number of bodies to be disposed of. It was not supposed to happen under the cover of darkness,” he said.
According to the CS, investigators have established that the number of bodies buried at the site exceeded what had been authorised by a court order, suggesting a deliberate violation of legal directives.
