Authorities in Kenya have uncovered at least 32 bodies—most of them infants—in a mass grave in Kericho, in a discovery that has shocked the nation and prompted urgent investigations.

The exhumation followed a court order initially authorising the retrieval of 14 bodies, but investigators uncovered far more during the process. Government pathologist Richard Njoroge described the findings as “quite unusual,” noting that many of the bodies were “stacked in gunny bags.” Recovery efforts were hampered by heavy rainfall during the day-long operation.

Preliminary assessments indicate the remains include seven adults and 25 children, with many of the younger victims identified as infants and foetuses. Additional body parts were also recovered. Authorities say the varying levels of decomposition suggest the deaths occurred at different times.

A post-mortem examination is set to begin as officials seek to establish the identities of the victims and determine the causes of death. Njoroge noted that some remains may have originated from hospitals or mortuaries, though this has yet to be confirmed through forensic analysis.

The operation, led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), involved homicide detectives and forensic teams working under tight security. The site was sealed off as residents gathered nearby, many visibly distressed as bodies were retrieved and documented.

Investigations were launched after a whistleblower tipped off authorities. Earlier findings from the DCI suggested that 13 unclaimed bodies had been legally released from a hospital in Nyamira County and transported to Kericho for burial. However, the discovery of additional remains has raised serious questions about the legality and circumstances surrounding the burials.

The land where the bodies were found belongs to the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which has denied any involvement, stating the burials were conducted without its knowledge or approval.

At least two individuals—a public health officer from Nyamira and a cemetery caretaker—have reportedly been arrested, while others are being questioned as part of the ongoing probe.

Human rights group Vocal Africa described the discovery as a “staggering and horrific escalation,” citing reports of mutilation and dismemberment among the remains and calling for immediate transparency and accountability.

Calls for swift identification of the victims have also been echoed by Law Society of Kenya, whose outgoing president Faith Odhiambo stressed the urgency of uncovering the truth.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2023 tragedy in Shakahola Forest near Malindi, where more than 400 bodies were discovered in a cult-related mass death case involving preacher Paul Mackenzie, who is accused of directing followers to starve themselves—allegations he denies.

A jury in California has ordered Bill Cosby to pay $19.25m (£14.3m) in damages to a former waitress after finding he drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1972.

The plaintiff, Donna Motsinger, told the court that Cosby gave her wine and a pill—believed to be aspirin—that left her incapacitated after picking her up in a limousine to attend one of his shows. She said she drifted in and out of consciousness, recalling only flashes of light before later waking up at home partially clothed and realising she had been assaulted.

Cosby, now 88, has consistently denied Motsinger’s allegations, as well as similar claims made by numerous women over the years in both civil and criminal proceedings. His legal team indicated that he plans to appeal the verdict.

The case was heard in Santa Monica, where jurors ruled in favour of Motsinger and awarded compensatory damages, with the possibility of additional punitive damages still to be determined.

Motsinger, now 84, had worked at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito, a popular venue frequented by celebrities during the 1970s. According to court filings, Cosby invited her to one of his performances and allegedly administered the drug during the journey.

Cosby’s defence argued that Motsinger could not definitively recall what happened and challenged the credibility of her claims. His lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, told US media that the ruling would be contested on appeal.

The case adds to a long list of legal battles that have defined Cosby’s later years. Once widely celebrated for his role in The Cosby Show, his legacy has been overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct dating back decades.

In 2021, Cosby was released from prison in Pennsylvania after serving nearly three years of a sentence for sexual assault, when his conviction was overturned on a legal technicality. He has maintained that all encounters were consensual.

Thousands of residents across Hawaii have been forced to evacuate their homes as the islands endure their most severe flooding in decades, following a second powerful storm in just one week.

Authorities say the damage could exceed $1bn (£745m), according to Rick Blangiardi, mayor of Honolulu. More than 230 people have already been rescued, with emergency services continuing operations as heavy rainfall persisted into early Saturday.

Officials have raised alarms over a dam on Oahu—the state’s most populous island—warning it is at risk of collapse. Residents have been urged to take the situation seriously and follow evacuation guidance.

At a press briefing, Josh Green confirmed there had been no reported fatalities so far, while commending emergency responders for their ongoing efforts.

Floodwaters have surged through communities, lifting homes and vehicles, and prompting evacuation orders affecting approximately 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Multiple roads across the islands have been shut down due to hazardous conditions.

The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management has issued repeated flash flood warnings, advising residents to seek higher ground and avoid entering flooded areas.

Flood alerts have also been extended to other islands, including Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii Island.

Governor Green warned the storm would have “serious consequences” for the state, citing widespread damage to critical infrastructure such as airports, schools, roads, hospitals, and residential properties.

The extreme weather is being driven by a Kona Low—a slow-moving low-pressure system that pulls in warm, moisture-laden air, leading to prolonged heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the Hawaiian islands.