Kenya investigates mass grave with 33 bodies: 25 were children, most died from trauma or prematurity

Nairobi.- Kenyan authorities are investigating the discovery of a mass grave with 33 bodies in the Makaburini cemetery, in Kericho County, of which 25 correspond to children. According to the first forensic results, most of the children died from head trauma or from causes associated with prematurity. The government pathologist, Richard Njoroge, reported that fourteen of the children have already been analyzed: ten died of prematurity and four from head trauma, while in two cases it was not possible to determine the cause of death. The bodies were in different states of decomposition, which suggests that not all were buried at the same time. Among the identified minors, ten were girls and eight were boys, although the deterioration of seven bodies prevented establishing their sex. The autopsies of the children have already concluded, and the authorities plan to begin the examination of the adults’ corpses. The grave was exhumed by the Homicide Department of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (DCI), after 14 bodies were initially discovered at the site last weekend. Subsequently, the number rose to 33, also including several human parts.

You may be interested in: The death toll in Kenya rises to 88 due to recent floods and rains

According to Njoroge, this is a “highly unusual” finding, as some of the bodies appear to come from morgues or hospitals. This situation has raised alarms about possible irregularities in the handling of unclaimed bodies. The case has gained greater relevance after it became known that Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s largest, is holding about 480 unclaimed bodies, nearly half of them belonging to minors. For its part, the Kenyan Human Rights Commission warned that only thirteen of the burials had official authorization, which could indicate possible irregularities or attempts to conceal illegal deaths. Investigations continue amid growing public concern, while at least two suspects have already been brought to justice in connection with this case.